Snowdonia Society mag autumn 2015

Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society magazine

Crwydro Eryri Getting around in Snowdonia

Hydref 2015 Autumn

Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society Magazine Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society, Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3NR 01286 685498 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk www.snowdonia-society.org.uk SCE. rhif/CIO no: 1155401

Swyddogion ac Ymddiriedolwyr/ Officers and Trustees Llywydd/President: John Lloyd Jones OBE Is-lywyddion/Vice-presidents: Dr John Disley, Sir John Houghton CBE FRS, Sir Simon Jenkins FSA, David Firth, Morag McGrath. Cadeirydd/Chair: David Archer Is-gadeirydd/Vice-chair: Gwag/ Vacant Ysgrifennydd Anrh./Hon. Secretary: Gwag/Vacant Aelodau’r pwyllgor/Committee members: Netti Collister, Bob Lowe, Gareth Roberts, Margaret Thomas, Peter Weston, Jacob Buis, Paul Gannon, Sarah McCarthy, Kevin Jones. Os hoffech gysylltu ag unrhyw aelod o’r pwyllgor, ffoniwch y swyddfa. If you would like to contact any of the committee members, please phone the office.

Sefydlwyd Cymdeithas Eryri yn 1967 a’i nod yw gwarchod a gwella harddwch a rhinweddau arbennig Eryri ac i hyrwyddo eu mwynhad er budd pawb sy'n byw, yn gweithio neu'n ymweld â'r ardal, yn awr ac yn y dyfodol. ~~~ The Snowdonia Society, established in 1967, works to protect and enhance the beauty and special qualities of Snowdonia and to promote their enjoyment in the interests of all who live in, work in or visit the area both now and in the future.

Dydd Sadwrn, 17 Hydref, 2pm Theatr y Ddraig, y Bermo

Cyfrifydd/Accountant: Judith Bellis Gwaith arlunio/Magazine design: Frances Smith Cyfieithu/Translation: Haf Meredydd Delwedd clawr: Gorsaf drên Conwy railway station © Hawlfraint y Goron/Crown copyright (2014) Visit Wales

Saturday, 17 October, 2pm Dragon Theatre, Barmouth

Gweler tudalennau canol y cylchgrawn hwn am y ffurflen gofrestru.

See centre pages of this magazine for your registration form.

Ddim yn aelod?

Not a member?

Cefnogwch ein gwaith trwy ymaelodi! Cysylltwch â ni neu gweler ein gwefan i ddarganfod rhagor.

Why not support our work by joining the Society? Contact us or visit our website for details.

Ydych chi'n derbyn ein e-fwletin?

Tanysgrifiwch ar-lein er mwyn derbyn ein newyddion diweddaraf. Neu anfonwch ebost i:

Are you receiving our e-newsletter?

Subscribe on-line to hear all our latest news. Or send an email to: info@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Swyddog Aelodaeth/Membership Officer: Frances Smith

Swyddog Tyfu Tŷ Hyll/Growing Tŷ Hyll Officer: Bethan Wynne Jones

Annual General Meeting

Cymdeithas Eryri 2015

Cyfarwyddwr/Director: John Harold

Swyddog Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri/ Snowdonia Ecosystem Project Officer: Owain Thomas

2015 Snowdonia Society

Gyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol

Staff

Rheolwr Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri/ Snowdonia Ecosystem Project Manager: Mary-Kate Jones

Notice of the

Rhybudd am

Cynnwys • Contents Golygyddol Teithio llesol? Byw heb gerbyd yn Eryri Cerdded oedd y drefn… Carneddi: cymorth neu rwystr? Y Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol Mae Sherpa'r Wyddfa wedi colli ei ffordd Tŷ Hyll a Ffordd Caergybi Mae Bethan yn tyfu Tŷ Hyll Ein gwefan newydd Rhoddion dathlu Gostyngiadau i aelodau Llyfrau newydd Llythyrau Adolygiad o'r flwyddyn Adroddiad ariannol

3 4-7 8-11 12-13 13 14-15 16-17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24-25 26-29 30-31

Editorial Active travel? Life without a car When walking was the norm Cairns: help or hindrance? The National Cycle Network Snowdon Sherpa has lost its way Tŷ Hyll and the Holyhead Road Bethan is growing Tŷ Hyll Our new website Celebration giving Member discounts New books Letters Review of the year Financial report

Dyma gylchgrawn swyddogol Cymdeithas Eryri. Caiff ei gyhoeddi bob chwe mis a’i ddosbarthu i aelodau’r Gymdeithas yn rhad ac am ddim. Gofynnwch os hoffech chi gael unrhyw erthyglau mewn fformat print bras. This is the official magazine of the Snowdonia Society, distributed free to its members twice a year. Please ask if you would like the text of any articles in a larger print format. 2

Golygyddol

Editorial

Hydref yn Eryri: coedydd sy’n cynnal ffyngau aeddfed, afonydd yn gorlifo yn dilyn cawodydd trymion, a dyddiau perffaith prin gydag awyr las trawiadol uwchben y bryniau. Mae ein Parc Cenedlaethol yn lle hyfryd i’w archwilio'r adeg hon o’r flwyddyn. Mae’r rhifyn hwn o’r cylchgrawn yn bwrw golwg ar deithio o le i le yn Eryri.

Autumn in Snowdonia: earthy woods ripe with fungi, stormfilled rivers fit to bursting, and rare perfect days projected onto the hills from a blue sky. Our National Park is worth the effort of exploration at this time of year; this edition of the magazine takes a look at the question of getting around in Snowdonia. We are accustomed to a car-dominated way of life. Mass access to wild places has evolved from a possibility to a reality. Access by car has become the norm and one consequence is a decline in equality of access. Provision for those who rely on public transport, whether that reliance is by choice or not, has repeatedly faltered and failed to take root.

Rydym wedi hen arfer â bywyd sy’n dibynnu ar gerbyd modur. Mae mynediad torfol i fannau gwyllt wedi esblygu o bosibilrwydd i realiti. Mae mynediad wrth ddefnyddio’r car bellach yn arferol, ac un canlyniad yw prinhad yng ngallu rhai i sicrhau mynediad mor rhwydd. Mae’r ddarpariaeth ar gyfer y sawl sy’n dibynnu ar gludiant cyhoeddus, un ai o ddewis ai peidio, yn aml wedi edwino ac wedi methu â sicrhau ffyniant o ran gwasanaeth.

Recent Welsh Government legislation - including the Active Travel Act and the ‘Well-Being’ Bill - offers potential for developing joined up and healthy transport options. This could benefit our protected landscapes and visitor hotspots, rural communities and the environment as a whole. But the outlook is uncertain, as shrinking local authority budgets are not conducive to the long-term thinking, planning and investment which are needed.

Mae deddfwriaeth ddiweddar gan Lywodraeth Cymru - yn cynnwys y Ddeddf Teithio Llesol a’r Mesur ‘Lles a Ffyniant’ - yn cynnig potensial ar gyfer opsiynau teithio cysylltiol ac iach. Fe all hyn fod o fudd i’n tirluniau gwarchodedig a’n mannau sydd fwyaf poblogaidd gydag ymwelwyr, cymunedau gwledig a’r amgylchedd. Ond mae’r dyfodol yn ansicr, oherwydd nid yw’r cwtogi presennol ar gyllidebau awdurdodau lleol yn debygol o’u galluogi i ystyried ariannu, cynllunio, na’r buddsoddiad sydd ei angen arnom yn y tymor hir.

Transport in all its forms brings challenges as well as opportunities. Motorised off-roading, when combined with a self-centred mentality, threatens the fabric of historic routes and shatters the peaceful enjoyment of the countryside. The very mobility of visitors in the numbers currently seen on Snowdon, for example, means that the costs of litter, parking and erosion can arise in one area, whilst the economic benefits accrue elsewhere. More positively, the voluntary arrangement for mountain-biking on Snowdon is working well - a tribute to responsible behaviour by cyclists and good management by National Park wardens.

Mae pob ffurf o gludiant yn dod â sawl her yn ogystal â chyfleoedd. Mae gyrru oddi ar y ffyrdd, o’i gyfuno â meddylfryd hunanol, yn bygwth sail llwybrau hanesyddol ac yn chwalu mwynhad tawel cefn gwlad. Mae sicrhau bod nifer fawr o ymwelwyr yn gallu symud yn ddidramgwydd - fel y gwelir ar yr Wyddfa, er enghraifft - yn golygu bod costau sbwriel, parcio ac erydiad yn gallu codi mewn un ardal tra bod buddion economaidd yn cronni’n rhywle arall. Yn fwy positif, mae’r trefniant gwirfoddol parthed beicio mynydd ar yr Wyddfa’n gweithio’n dda ac yn deyrnged i ymddygiad cyfrifol beicwyr a rheolaeth dda gan wardeniaid y Parc Cenedlaethol.

The Snowdonia Society campaigns for better transport in and around Snowdonia. Our practical volunteer work tackles the impacts which accompany heavy usage of the Park. We will continue to care for Snowdonia and to help people to enjoy our National Park.

Mae Cymdeithas Eryri’n ymgyrchu dros well cludiant i Eryri ac o’i gwmpas. Mae ein gwaith gwirfoddol ymarferol yn mynd i’r afael ag effeithiau defnydd trwm o’r Parc. Byddwn yn parhau i ofalu am Eryri ac i helpu pobl i fwynhau ein Parc Cenedlaethol.

John Harold This magazine was produced by an editorial panel of Rob Collister, Frances Smith and John Harold. We are extremely grateful to all the authors and photographers who have contributed to this issue. The views expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect Snowdonia Society policy.

John Harold Cynhyrchwyd y cylchgrawn hwn gan dîm golygyddol yn cynnwys Rob Collister, Frances Smith a John Harold. Rydym yn hynod ddiolchgar i’r holl awduron a ffotograffwyr sydd wedi cyfrannu at y rhifyn hwn. Cofiwch mai safbwyntiau personol yr awduron sy’n cael eu mynegi ganddynt, ac nid ydynt o reidrwydd yn adlewyrchu polisi Cymdeithas Eryri. Pont y Bermo Ymysg cynigion Cyngor Gwynedd i arbed arian mae cau'r llwybr prysur hwn i gerddwyr a beicwyr, uchafbwynt Llwybr Mawddach a Llwybr Arfordir Cymru. Wrth fynd i'r wasg mae'r ddeiseb 'Achub Pont y Bermo' wedi cyrraedd 20,000 o lofnodion. Barmouth Bridge Gwynedd Council's cost saving proposals include closing this ‘active travel’ route to walkers and cyclists, a highlight of the Mawddach Trail and Wales Coast Path. The 'Save Barmouth Bridge' petition passed 20,000 signatures as we go to press. 3

blogs.nottingham.ac.uk

Teithio llesol? Paul Gannon

Ar strydoedd trefi Cymru ac mewn lonydd gwledig lle mae’r car yn arglwyddiaethu dydy hi ddim yn hawdd i feicwyr a cherddwyr. O ganlyniad, gweithgareddau ymylol yw cerdded a beicio a dim ond rhan fach sydd ganddyn nhw fel ffurfiau o gludiant.

nwylo ymgyrchwyr cludiant cyhoeddus arf lobio sydd â photensial i fod yn un cryf wrth ddelio gydag awdurdodau lleol sy’n llusgo eu traed wrth weithio yn erbyn newid a pharhau i hyrwyddo dibyniaeth ar y cerbyd modur.

Ond efallai bod hynny ar fin newid. Yn 2013 pasiwyd Deddf Teithio Llesol Cymru gan Gynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru gyda’r bwriad o greu gwell cydbwysedd o fewn maes cludiant a gosod gofynion lu ar awdurdodau lleol i uwchraddio adnoddau cerdded a beicio mewn ardaloedd trefol i annog ‘teithio llesol’. Fel ffurfiau o deithio yn ogystal â gweithgareddau hamdden, mae beicio a cherdded yn gwireddu cymaint o amcanion cymdeithasol o fewn polisïau amgylcheddol ac iechyd, yn ogystal ag arbed arian i bobl.

Mae dau gam i ofynion y Ddeddf. Yn gyntaf, rhaid i awdurdodau lleol baratoi map o’r holl lwybrau beicio a cherdded sy’n bodoli a’u hasesu yn unol â safon a nodir mewn Canllawiau. Mae’n ofynnol llunio’r map erbyn mis Medi 2015. Yn ail, dylid cwblhau map sy’n dangos sut y doir â’r llwybrau i safon erbyn mis Medi 2017. Mae’r Ddeddf yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i awdurdodau lleol, wrth greu, cynnal a chadw a gwella priffyrdd, gymryd camau ‘rhesymol’ i wella’r ddarpariaeth ar gyfer cerddwyr a beicwyr. Rhaid i welliannau ystyried ‘Arweiniad Darparu ac Arweiniad Cynllunio’ sy’n seiliedig ar bum maen prawf allweddol: cydlyniad, uniongyrchedd, diogelwch, cyfforddusrwydd a pha mor ddeniadol ydyn nhw. Mae’r canllawiau hefyd yn annog mentr wrth ddarparu’r isadeiledd lle nad yw’r ymarfer presennol yn addas ar gyfer beicio ac/neu gerdded. Hefyd, mae pwyslais ar gynllunio cynhwysol, fel bod y llwybrau’n addas ar gyfer pob oedran a gallu.

Fodd bynnag, mae’n rhaid i ni fod yn realistig. Efallai mai dim ond hwb gwleidyddol yw hyn oherwydd, er gwaethaf amcanion canmoladwy’r Ddeddf, ni ddosrannwyd unrhyw arian i awdurdodau lleol i ariannu’r newidiadau angenrheidiol. Beth bynnag yw ysgogiad y sawl sydd wedi rhoi’r ddeddf ar waith, mae wedi gosod yn

Conwy: Mae’r llwybr hwn a rennir yn dangos yr heriau sy’n wynebu awdurdodau lleol sydd â chyfrifoldeb dros uwchraddio cyfleusterau. ● This shared path illustrates the challenges facing local authorities tasked with upgrading facilities. (Llun/Photo: Rob Collister).

Lluniwyd y Canllawiau gan gydnabod na all beicio ffynnu os na fyddwn yn ei wneud yn flaenoriaeth ac os bydd ‘adnoddau’ beicio'n parhau i olygu llwybrau aros/cychwyn a rhannupafin. Yn y gwledydd hynny lle darperir rhwydweithiau beicio o ansawdd uchel (megis yr Iseldiroedd, Denmarc a’r Ffindir) mae mwy o feicwyr ac mae eu proffil o ran oedran a rhyw yn llawer mwy cytbwys nag yn y DU. Yn arglwyddiaethu yma mae gwrywod ifanc sy’n oedolion, ac maen nhw’n barod i gyfuno beicio gyda thrafnidiaeth sy’n symud yn gyflym. Yn hollol ddealladwy, mae rhieni’n anfodlon caniatáu i’w plant feicio i’r ysgol neu fel hamdden, ac mae llawer o oedolion yn anfodlon wynebu peryglon beicio ar y ffordd.

Porthaethwy: Enghraifft o uwchraddio cyfleuster beicio sy'n parhau i fethu ag ateb safonau Teithio Llesol ● Menai Bridge: An example of a cycle facility upgrade that fails to meet Active Travel standards. (Llun/Photo: Paul Gannon)

anuchelgeisiol o ‘ddewisiadau’ a gynigir ym mhecyn ymgynghori ar-lein y Cyngor, sy’n awgrymu bod ganddo gryn dipyn o waith i’w gyflawni.

Fodd bynnag, mae’r Ddeddf yn wynebu sawl her ddifrifol, yn cynnwys y diffyg ariannu ar gyfer rhoi’r newidiadau angenrheidiol ar waith a gwrthwynebiad awdurdodau lleol i’w gweithredu. Yn hytrach na hybu’r nifer o brojectau sydd â’r nod o wella amodau i feicwyr a cherddwyr, effaith y Ddeddf hyd yma yw bod awdurdodau wedi gohirio pob dim tra’u bod yn cyflawni’r gwaith mapio. Yn wir, y llynedd gwariwyd llai ar feicio yng Nghymru.

Amcan y Ddeddf Teithio Llesol yw newid blaenoriaethau adrannau priffyrdd a chynghorau sir a gosod cerddwyr a beicwyr o flaen parcio. Amser a ddengys a fydd yr uchelgais hwn yn cael ei wireddu, a bydd llawer yn dibynnu ar ba mor effeithiol y bydd pobl leol yn defnyddio’r Ddeddf i bwyso ar eu cynrychiolwyr etholedig dros newid.

Ni ddylem ychwaith amau gallu awdurdodau lleol i greu dryswch. Gwrthodwyd llwybr beiciau yn Ninbych yn ddiweddar gan gynghorwyr oherwydd y rheswm hurt y byddai’r llwybr yn mynd heibio mynwent ac yn aflonyddu ar bobl oedd yn ymweld â hi.

Mae Paul Gannon yn Ymddiriedolwr i Gymdeithas Eryri.

Yn wyneb y math yma o agwedd fe all Deddf Teithio Llesol Cymru fod yn fethiant llwyr. Fodd bynnag, mae’r Ddeddf a’i Chanllawiau wedi eu geirio’n gryf, ac mae grwpiau lobïo beiciau megis y CTC, elusen feicio genedlaethol, wedi dweud eu bod yn edrych am achos sy’n gwbl bendant i fynd â chyngor i’r llys am adolygiad cyfreithiol er mwyn ei orfodi i gymryd y Ddeddf o ddifrif.

Ymateb gan Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri Yn sicr mae unrhyw sylw a roddir gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gynyddu cyfleoedd i feicio a cherdded yn beth gwerth chweil ond y teimlad yw bod y Ddeddf Teithio Llesol (Cymru) yn un sy’n anelu’n bennaf tuag at y sefyllfa mewn ardaloedd trefol. Mae’n debyg mai ar gyfer hamddena y defnyddir y mwyafrif o gyfleoedd mynediad yn Eryri tra bod y Ddeddf yn ymwneud â theithio o fan i fan a’r angen i wella isadeiledd fel bod cerdded a beicio yn ddewis go iawn ar gyfer teithio.

Mae’r Ddeddf hefyd yn llai perthnasol i ardaloedd gwledig nag i ardaloedd trefol. Ond, mae’n sicrhau arf i’r sawl sy’n dymuno ymgyrchu dros well cyfleusterau cerdded a beicio oddi allan i ardaloedd trefol Cymru. Yn ddiweddar, mae Cyngor Gwynedd wedi cyhoeddi ei fapiau o lwybrau beicio a cherdded mewn ardaloedd megis Bangor a Chaernarfon ac mae’n gwahodd sylwadau gan y cyhoedd. Ein gobaith yw bod y Cyngor yn ymwybodol cymaint o waith sydd ei angen i uwchraddio cyfleusterau a sicrhau teithio ymarferol a realistig. Yn anffodus, ni adlewyrchir y newid sylfaenol sydd ei angen yn y ddarpariaeth i hybu teithio ymarferol yn y rhestr

Rydym i gyd yn ymwybodol o welliannau i’n ffyrdd nad ydyn nhw hyd yn oed yn ystyried gwella’r diffyg isadeiledd cerdded a beicio ar yr un pryd. Croesewir yr angen o fewn y Ddeddf i awdurdodau priffyrdd ystyried teithio strategol ac ymarferol, gan gynnwys cerdded a beicio. Fe fyddai’n dda o beth gweld hynny yn ei dro yn gwella mynediad i bawb i dirweddau dynodedig megis Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri.

Er mwyn dweud eich dweud ar y Ddeddf Teithio Llesol (Cymru), ewch i:

Mair Huws, Pennaeth Gwasanaeth Wardeinio a Mynediad, APCE

https://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/cy/Cyngor/Dweud-eichdweud/Teithio-llesol.aspx 5

Active travel? Paul Gannon

Cyclists and pedestrians get a raw deal on the streets of Welsh towns and in rural lanes where road design is slave to the idea that the car is king. As a result, walking and cycling are marginal activities and play but a minor role as modes of transport. But that may be about to change. In 2013 the Welsh Government passed the Wales Active Travel Act with the intention of re-balancing the transport equation, and placing considerable demands on local authorities to upgrade walking and cycling facilities in urban areas to encourage ‘active travel’. Cycling and walking as modes of transport, as well as leisure activities, address so many social objectives in environmental and health policies, never mind saving people money. However, we must be realistic. It may

well be that this initiative is no more than political window-dressing for, despite the Act’s laudable aims, no money has been allocated to local authorities to fund the necessary changes. Whatever the motivation of those who have enacted the law, it has handed public transport campaigners a potentially powerful lobbying tool when dealing with recalcitrant local authorities who will undoubtedly resist change and continue to promote dependence on the motor car. There are two stages to the Act’s requirements. First, local authorities must draw up a map of all existing cycle and pedestrian routes and assess them to a specified standard. This is due by September 2015. Second, a map showing how the routes will be brought up to standard is due to be completed by September 2017. The Act requires local authorities, when creating, maintaining and improving highways, to take ‘reasonable’ steps to enhance the provision for walkers and cyclists. Enhancements must have regard to statutory ‘Delivery Guidance & Design Guidance’ based on five key criteria: coherence, directness, safety, comfort and attractiveness. The guidelines also encourage innovation in the provision of infrastructure where existing practice is not suitable for

cycling and/or walking. Moreover, there is an emphasis on inclusive design, to cater for all ages and abilities. The Guidance has been drawn up recognizing that cycling cannot flourish if we continue to relegate it to the gutter or stop/start shared-pavement cycle ‘facilities’. In those countries where highquality cycle networks are provided (such as the Netherlands, Denmark and Finland) there are not only more cyclists, but their age and gender profile is much more balanced than in the UK where cycling is dominated by young adult males who are prepared to mix it with fast-moving traffic. Parents, understandably, are reluctant to allow their children to cycle to school or for leisure, while many adults simply aren’t prepared to accept the hazards of road cycling. However, the Act faces serious challenges, not least the lack of funds for making the necessary changes and the resistance of local authorities to implementing them. Far from boosting the number of projects aimed at improving conditions for cyclists and pedestrians, the effect of the Act so far has been for local authorities to put everything ‘on hold’ while they carry out the mapping. Indeed, last year spending in Wales on cycling actually fell. Nor should we underestimate the capacity of local authorities for obfuscation; a proposed cycle route in Denbigh was

recently quashed by councillors on the risible grounds that the route would pass a cemetery and disturb people visiting it. In the face of this sort of attitude the Wales Active Travel Act may well turn out to be a complete flop. However, the Act and its Guidance are strongly worded, and cycle lobby groups such as the CTC have said they are looking out for a clear-cut case to take a council to court for judicial review, to force it to take the Act seriously. The Act is also less relevant to rural than to urban areas. But it does give a tool to those who want to campaign for better walking and cycling facilities outside of the urban areas of Wales. Gwynedd Council has recently published its maps of cycle and walking routes in areas such as Bangor and Caernarfon and is inviting public comments. One hopes the Onid all beicwyr benderfynu drostyn nhw eu hunain? ● Can't cyclists be allowed to use their initiative? Council is aware of the extent it will have (Llun/Photo: Rob Collister) to upgrade facilities to make active travel a realistic prospect. Sadly, the step-change in provision that’s needed to stimulate active travel is simply not reflected in the unambitious list of ‘choices’ offered in its online consultation package, suggesting that it has some way to go. Although any Welsh Government attention given to increasing The aim of the Active Travel Act is to readjust the suitable opportunities for walking and cycling can only be a good priorities of highways departments and county councils thing we feel that the Wales Active Travel Act is predominantly and put pedestrians and cyclists before parking. Time geared towards urban areas. Whereas most access provision will tell if this ambition is to be realized, and much will within Snowdonia is used as recreation the Act aims to do exactly depend on how effectively local people use the Act to what it says on the tin – it is concerned with encouraging Active press their elected representatives for change. Travel and improving infrastucture to make walking and cycling a viable travel option. Paul Gannon is a Snowdonia Society Trustee. We are all sadly aware of highway improvements which haven’t even tried to address a lack of walking and cycling infrastucture. A common sense approach where highways departments think strategically about integrated transport - including walking and cycling as the Act demands - is to be welcomed and could be used to improve access for all into designated landscapes such as Snowdonia National Park.

A response from the Snowdonia National Park Authority

Mair Huws, Head of Warden and Access Service, SNPA

Ymysg gwelliannau diweddar ym Mhorthmadog mae ail-wynebu cylchdro, ond ni ledaenwyd palmentydd ac ni wnaed gwelliannau ar gyfer cerddwyr er gwaethaf y ffaith bod gofod ar gael. Improvements in Porthmadog include re-surfacing a roundabout, but no widening of pavements or improvements for pedestrians despite available space. Llun/Photo: Paul Gannon

Have your say on the Welsh Active Travel Act at: https://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/en/Council/Haveyour-say/Active-travel.aspx 7

Byw heb gerbyd yn Eryri Dysgu i fyw'n fwy cynaliadwy Gareth Roberts Bydd y rhan fwyaf o ddarllenwyr y cylchgrawn hwn yn gwybod bod lleihau’r defnydd o danwydd ffosil yn ganolog i’n hymdrechion i leihau cynhyrchiant nwyon tŷ gwydr, a bod y cynnydd yn nhymheredd y blaned a achosir gan y nwyon hyn yn effeithio’n andwyol ar fioamrywiaeth ac ar fywydau a lles cannoedd o filiynau o bobl ledled y byd. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru a’r rhan fwyaf o Lywodraethau eraill y byd wedi ymrwymo fwyfwy i leihau cynhyrchiant nwyon ty gwydr er mwyn lliniaru’r effeithiau yma. Mae targedau’n cael eu gosod i wireddu hyn1. Mae ymwybyddiaeth y cyhoedd o newid hinsawdd wedi cynyddu ac mae mwy o bobl nag erioed o’r blaen yn byw bywyd gwyrdd. Yr hyn sy’n ymddangos yn arbennig o anodd, fodd bynnag, yw lleihau ein harfer o deithio mewn cerbydau modur preifat. Mae hon yn broblem enfawr gan mai dyma sy’n gyfrifol am dros 25% o allyriannau carbon deuocsid yn y DU. Serch y gwelliannau mewn technoleg sydd wedi helpu i leihau allyriannau gan gerbydau, mae’r nifer o geir preifat

drwyddo draw’n parhau i gynyddu gydag amcangyfrif o 32 miliwn ohonyn nhw ar ffyrdd y DU yn 20142. Mae angen ail-bwysleisio hen ddywediad ymgyrchwyr amgylcheddol - ‘meddyliwch yn fyd-eang, gweithredwch yn lleol’ gyda’r pwyslais ar weithredu fel unigolion. Dylid diweddaru’r dywediad i ‘Meddyliwch yn fyd-eang, gweithredwch yn unigol’.

Mae'n debyg mai ofn sy’n peri i'r rhan fwyaf ohonom fod yn anfodlon cael gwared â'n ceir. Roeddwn wedi pendroni’n hir ynglŷn â chael gwared â’m car, ond gan fy mod yn byw ar fy mhen fy hun yn un o ardaloedd mwyaf anghysbell y DU heb deulu

Mae'n anodd peidio â defnyddio tacsi ar adegau wrth geisio crwydro heb gerbyd. ● Resorting to taxis is often unavoidable when trying to get about without transport of one's own. (Llun/Photo: Paul Gannon)

agos na ffrindiau i ddibynnu arnyn nhw roeddwn wedi ystyried erioed bod car yn hanfodol. Roeddwn yn parhau i obeithio y byddai fy amgylchiadau’n newid rhyw ddydd a’m galluogi i fyw heb gar. Daeth fy ngherbyd yn rhywbeth yr oeddwn yn gyndyn o wneud i ffwrdd ag o, er fy mod yn gwybod y byddai’n gwneud synnwyr yn amgylcheddol ac, mae’n debyg, yn ariannol. Fel gyda chymaint o bethau eraill mewn bywyd, mae angen i ni gael ein gwthio i newid ein ffyrdd o fyw ac felly y digwyddodd pethau'r llynedd i mi. Wrth ddeffro un bore barugog ym mis Ionawr cefais hyd i ddarn o fetel y tu allan i’r tŷ. Wedi archwiliad yn y garej leol, cefais wybod bod is-ffram y car yn rhydu. Meddai’r peiriannydd a oedd wedi gwasanaethu fy nghar yn ffyddlon dros nifer o flynyddoedd ac a oedd wedi fy mherswadio i ddal fy ngafael arno, ‘Dyna fo, wneith hwn ddim pasio ei MOT heb lawer o waith ac, i fod yn onest, dydy o ddim werth hynny.’ Mewn gwirionedd, roeddwn yn falch iawn o glywed y geiriau yma, er fy mod yn gorfod wynebu’r penderfyniad anodd - car arall ai peidio?

Dros yr ychydig ddyddiau nesaf bûm yn pendroni manteision ac anfanteision bod yn berchen ar gar. Bydd gwneud penderfyniadau o’r fath yn rhywbeth personol iawn oherwydd mae amgylchiadau pawb yn wahanol. Dylanwad cryf arnaf oedd fy nghydwybod a fy nghred y dylai’r rhai sy’n hybu byw’n gynaliadwy fod yn barod i ddangos hynny drwy esiampl. Pan fyddaf yn gofyn i bobl ynglyn â’u pryder parthed defnyddio cludiant cyhoeddus yr ateb bron bob tro yw nad yw’r gwasanaethau’n ddigonol i ateb eu hanghenion. Rydw i’n argyhoeddedig, fodd bynnag, y byddai’r gwasanaethau’n gwella pe bai pobl yn eu defnyddio’n amlach. Yn bwysicach fyth, pe bai’r Cynghorwyr yma sy’n hybu eu defnydd yn eu defnyddio’n amlach eu hunain, fe fydden nhw’n gwella’n gynt eto! Os na fydd pobl yn defnyddio gwasanaethau cludiant cyhoeddus ac yn cyfrannu at drafodaethau ynglyn â sut y gellir eu gwella yna mi fyddan nhw’n diflannu. Mae llawer o bobl yn ein cymunedau (yr henoed, yr ifanc, pobl gydag anableddau a phobl gymharol dlawd) yn dibynnu ar gludiant cyhoeddus. Fel preswylwyr ac ymwelwyr sy’n berchen ceir, mae ein hamharodrwydd i wneud yn fawr o’r gwasanaethau hyn yn eu tanseilio ar gyfer y bobl hynny sy’n dibynnu arnyn nhw. Wrth ddefnyddio cludiant cyhoeddus byddwn hefyd yn cefnogi bywiogrwydd cymunedau lleol. Mae’n debyg mai ofn sy’n peri i’r rhan fwyaf ohonom fod yn anfodlon cael gwared â’n ceir. Os nad ydych yn siŵr a allwch fyw heb gar pam na wnewch chi roi cynnig ar hynny am oddeutu mis? Os ydych yn ymwelydd ag Eryri, pam na wnewch chi gynllunio eich taith nesaf yma ar gludiant cyhoeddus? Mae Cymdeithas Eryri’n gweithredu ar hyn hefyd. Mae hi’n ymgyrchu dros wella gwasanaethau cludiant cyhoeddus, yn cynnwys rheilffyrdd (rheilffyrdd Arfordir Cambria a Dyffryn Conwy) a helpu i sicrhau dyfodol gwasanaethau bws yn enwedig Sherpa’r Wyddfa. Mae angen i ni barhau i ymgyrchu’n ddygn oherwydd fe all toriadau pellach mewn gwariant ar wasanaethau cyhoeddus arwain at leihad pellach yn y grantiau sydd ar gael i gefnogi darparwyr cludiant. Felly, mae’n rhaid i ni ofyn i ni’n hunain, sut alla’i fyw yn Eryri neu ymweld â’r ardal heb gar?

Bellach rydw i wedi bod heb gar am dros chwe mis. Drwyddo draw, mae’r profiad wedi bod yn un positif. Do, cafwyd problemau, ond cafwyd llawer mwy o fuddion. Rydw i wedi cadw dyddiadur o fy mhrofiad ac rydw i’n bwriadu ei rannu’n fwy eang y flwyddyn nesaf. Erbyn hyn, gobeithio, byddaf yn gallu siarad gyda mwy o awdurdod am fuddion byw yn Eryri heb gar ac argymell i eraill sut mae modd iddyn nhw wneud yr un fath. Yn ôl fy mhrofiad i o fyw mewn man anghysbell heb gar, mae’r canllawiau canlynol wedi bod yn gymorth: • Archebu fy neges ar-lein bob wythnos a threfnu ei fod yn cael ei ddanfon at ddrws fy nghartref • Prynu cardiau rheilffordd ac archebu fy nheithiau ymlaen llaw er mwyn sicrhau arbedion sylweddol • Defnyddio fy mhas bws • Sach gefn dda sy’n ei gwneud yn haws cludo’r mân bethau rydw i’n cael fy nhemtio i’w prynu wrth alw heibio tref neu ddinas • Ar yr achlysuron hynny pan mae’n rhaid i mi fynychu cyfarfod gyda’r nos rydw i’n gofyn i gyfaill ddod i fy nôl ar eu ffordd ac yn cyfrannu at eu costau tanwydd. O ystyried bod amgylchiadau pob un ohonom yn amrywio byddai’n dda dysgu am brofiadau pobl eraill sy’n byw heb gar. Gallwch rannu eich profiadau gyda mi ac eraill ar: www.facebook.com/ livingwithoutacarinWales Mae Gareth Roberts yn Ymddiriedolwr i Gymdeithas Eryri. ---

1. Yn 2009 galwodd pob un o’r pedair prif blaid wleidyddol yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol ar Lywodraeth Cymru i leihau gollyngiadau o nwyon tŷ gwydr o 40% erbyn 2020 yn erbyn targedau byd-eang 1990. Roedd yn edrych yn debyg na fyddai’r targed hwn yn cael ei ateb ac ysgogwyd Llywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno deddfwriaeth yn 2015 i sicrhau bod hyn yn ofyniad statudol. 2.http://ww w.smmt.co.uk/2014/03/ decades-fastest-growth-sees-almost-32million-cars-road/

Trafnidiaeth am ddim i ddyddiau gwirfoddoli Gyda llawer o safleoedd dyddiau gwaith i wirfoddolwyr ymhell o unrhyw lwybr bws, mae diffyg cludiant preifat yn gallu peri problem i wirfoddolwyr sy’n ymuno â’n dyddiau gwaith. Er mwyn sicrhau bod ein cyfleoedd i wirfoddoli ar gael i bawb, mae Project Ecosystem Eryri yn darparu cludiant am ddim o leoliadau allweddol i ddau ddiwrnod gwaith y mis o leiaf. Gellir ymestyn y trefniant hwn hefyd i grwpiau. Diolch i Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a CAE am noddi’r fenter hon. Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â mary-kate@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Free transport to volunteer workdays With many volunteer workday sites far from a bus route, lack of private transport can pose a problem for volunteers joining our workdays. In order to make our volunteering opportunities more open to all, the Snowdonia Ecosystem Project provides free transport from key locations to at least two workdays every month. This arrangement can also be extended to groups. With thanks to National Resources Wales and CAE for funding this initiative. For more information contact mary-kate@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Life without a car

Learning to live sustainably in Snowdonia Gareth Roberts morning in January to find a bit of metal lying in my drive. Closer inspection of my car at the local garage revealed that the sub-frame was corroding. My mechanic who had serviced my car meticulously over many years and persuaded me to hang onto it, concluded on this occasion, ‘That’s it mate, this will not get through its MoT without a lot of work that, put frankly, just ain’t worth it.’ I was pleasantly relieved to hear these words. But I now had to face that hard decision, another car or not?

Most readers of this magazine will know that reducing the consumption of fossil fuels is central to our efforts to reduce the production of greenhouse gases, and that the increase in global temperatures these gases cause is impacting adversely on biodiversity and the lives and well-being of hundreds of millions of people throughout the world. The Welsh Government and most other governments in the world are increasingly committed to reducing the generation of greenhouse gasses in order to mitigate these impacts. Targets are being set to achieve this1. Public awareness of climate change has increased and more people than ever are living greener lives. What is proving especially difficult it seems, is weaning ourselves off driving around in private motor vehicles. This is a big problem because they are responsible for upwards of 25% of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. Despite the improvements in technologies that have helped reduce vehicle emissions, the overall number of private cars continues to grow with an estimated 32 million of them on UK roads in 20142.

The fear factor is what makes most of us unwilling to forego our cars.

What went through my mind in the next few days was listing the pros and cons of car ownership. Making such decisions will always be very personal as everyone’s circumstances differ. What tipped it for me was a matter of conscience and my belief that those who advocate sustainable living have to stand up and be counted.

When I ask people about their reluctance to use public transport the stock answer I often get is that the services are inadequate to meet their needs. I am convinced, however, that if people used them more often they would improve. More importantly, if those Councillors who advocate their use, used them more often themselves, they would get better even sooner!

The old adage of environmental campaigners - ‘think globally, act locally’ - needs to be re-emphasised, with the emphasis on individual action. ‘Think globally, act personally’ should be the new mantra. I had long pondered about getting rid of my car but, living alone in one of the remotest parts of the UK with no close family and friends to fall back on, I long regarded my car as a necessity rather than a luxury. I kept hoping that someday my circumstances would change allowing me to do without a car. My car became a crutch that I was reluctant to discard, though I knew it would certainly make both environmental and probably, economic sense, to do so.

Unless people use public transport services and contribute to discussions about how they might be improved they will simply wither away. There are many people in our communities (the elderly, the young, the disabled and economically disadvantaged) who rely on public transport. Our reluctance as car owning residents and visitors to make more use of these services undermines them for those people who are dependent upon them. By using public transport we will be supporting the vitality of local communities into the bargain.

As with many things in life, we need to be pushed into changing our ways and so it happened last year for me. I woke one frosty

The fear factor is what makes most of us unwilling to forego our cars. If you are unsure if you can live without a car why not first try it experimentally for a month or so. If you are a visitor to Snowdonia, why not plan your next trip here by public transport, perhaps? The Snowdonia Society is taking action on this, too. It campaigns for improving public transport services, including rail (the Cambrian Coast and Conwy Valley lines) and helping secure the future of bus services notably the Snowdon Sherpa. We need to continue to campaign aggressively because further cuts in public service spending may lead to further reductions in grants available to support transport providers. 10

So, we must ask ourselves, how can I live in Eryri or visit here without a car?

•

I have been without my car now for more than six months. The experience has been an overwhelmingly positive one. There have been some problems, yes, but these have been far outweighed by the benefits. I have kept a diary of my experience which I propose to share more widely next year. Hopefully, by then I will be able to speak more authoritatively about the benefits of living in Eryri without a car and recommend to others how they might do the same.

Given that all our circumstances vary it would be good to learn about other people's experiences of living without a car. You can share your experiences with me and others via: www.facebook.com/livingwithoutacarinWales ---

In my own experience of living remotely without a car, the following tactics have helped: • • • •

pieces I am tempted to buy when on a trip to a town or city On the occasions when I need to attend an evening meeting I ask a colleague to pick me up on their way and contribute to their fuel costs.

Gareth Roberts is a Snowdonia Society Trustee.

1. In 2009 all four main political parties in the National Assembly called for the Welsh Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020 against 1990 global targets. This target was in danger of not being met prompting the Welsh Government to introduce legislation in 2015 to make this a statutory requirement.

Ordering my weekly shopping on-line and having it delivered Buying rail-cards and booking my journeys in advance for big reductions Using my bus pass A really good rucksack making it easier to carry bits and

2. http://www.smmt.co.uk/2014/03/decades-fastest-growth-sees-almost32-million-cars-road/

Gwybodaeth am drafnidiaeth Travel information Os ydych chi’n teithio o le i le heb gar, efallai y bydd yr adnoddau cludiant canlynol yn ddefnyddiol.

If you are getting about without a car, the following transport resources might be useful.

www.traveline.info Y gwasanaeth gwybodaeth am drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Cynlluniwr-teithiau ar-lein a gwybodaeth am ffyrdd/ llwybrau ac amseroedd teithio ledled pob rhwydwaith. 0871 200 22 33

www.traveline.info Public transport information service for Wales. An on-line journey-planner and information on routes and travel times across all networks. 0871 200 22 33

www.nationalrail.co.uk 0845 60 40 500 (gwasanaeth Cymraeg)

www.nationalrail.co.uk 0845 48 49 50 (Welsh language service: 0845 60 40 500)

www.cyclestreets.net Cynlluniwch daith ar feic yn ôl yr hyn sy’n hoff gennych chi.

www.cyclestreets.net Plan a journey by bike according to your preferences.

www.sustrans.org.uk Y Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol

www.sustrans.org.uk The National Cycle Network

www.thecambrianline.co.uk Y Brif Reilffordd o Amwythig i Aberystwyth a Rheilffordd Arfordir, Machynlleth i Bwllheli.

www.thecambrianline.co.uk Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Main Line and Machynlleth to Pwllheli Coast Line

www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk Arfordir gogledd Cymru, Dyffryn Conwy a gwasanaethau i Gaerdydd a Chaergybi.

www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk North Wales coast, Conwy Valley and services to Cardiff and Holyhead.

Yn sicr, mae Rheilffordd y Cambrian yn un o reilffyrdd harddaf ein gwlad. The Cambrian Line is surely one of the loveliest rail routes in the country

Cerdded oedd y drefn… Dafydd Whiteside Thomas

Roedd dwy garnedd fawr o gerrig ar Fwlch Llanberis ym Mhen Gorffwysfa. Dywed Edward Lhuyd, pan ddaeth ar daith i’r ardal hon, fod ei arweinydd wedi cerdded o amgylch un o’r carneddau naw o weithiau gan adrodd Gweddi’r Arglwydd cyn gyflymed ag y gallai. Mae Gutyn Peris yn llawer diweddarach yn adrodd am draddodiad tebyg. Mae’r carneddi hyn wedi diflannu erbyn heddiw, a diolch am hynny; dychmygwch y traed moch pe bai pawb sy’n mynd dros Fwlch Llanberis heddiw yn mynnu cadw at y traddodiad!

Pan briododd Siân Dafydd a Dafydd Siôn Owen yn Eglwys Llanfrothen ym 1806, cerdded yn ôl i Lanberis wnaeth y pâr priod. Cyrchu drwy Flaenau Nantmor i Nantgwynant, a dringo dros Fwlch Llanberis cyn dilyn llwybr garw i lannau llynnoedd Peris a Phadarn. Doedd teulu’r gŵr ddim gartref pan gyrhaeddwyd Dôl Tŷ Du, a phenderfynwyd cerdded ymlaen am Gaernarfon i’w cyfarfod. Roedd y llwybr bryd hynny yn dringo dros ardal y Clegir; llwybr, yn ôl y Parch Peter Bailey Williams, Rheithor Llanberis a Llanrug, oedd yn “dangerous zig-zag” heb le i ddau geffyl fynd heibio ei gilydd. Yr unig ddewis arall iddynt oedd cwch o Lyn Peris ar hyd afon y Bala i Lyn Padarn, ac ymlaen i Lyn Bogelyn a phorthladd Cwm y Glo. Doedd pont enwog Penllyn ddim wedi ei hadeiladu, ac ar hyd y tri llyn y teithiai llawer. Dyna fu’r drefn o gludo copr o fwynfeydd Nant Peris ar hyd y blynyddoedd.

Ar y naill ochr i ddyffryn Peris mae Dyffryn Ogwen/Nant Ffrancon a Dyffryn Gwyrfai/Nant y Colwyn. Heddiw, rhaid gyrru rhai milltiroedd o amgylch y mynyddoedd i gyrraedd o un dyffryn i’r llall. Cerdded oedd y drefn ers talwm. Mae Huw Derfel yn sôn am grefyddwyr cynnar Nant Ffrancon yn croesi Bwlch y Brecan a dilyn Cwm Dudodyn i wrando ar bregeth yn Eglwys Sant Peris. Yn yr un modd byddai rhai o drigolion ardal Rhyd-ddu yn cerdded dros Fwlch Maesgwm i gyrchu’r un lle. Y bwlch hwnnw hefyd a ddefnyddiai Deio Cwm Brwynog i herio hen lanciau Clogwyn y Gwin ger Llyn Cwellyn. Prin yw’r cysylltiad rhwng ardal Rhyd-ddu a Chwm Pennant heddiw, ond gynt roedd teithio rheolaidd dros Fwlch y Ddwy Elor.

Yn 1812, talodd plwyf Llanrug am wella’r llwybr drwy’r Clegir, ond mae’n anodd credu heddiw mai dyma’r ‘briffordd’ o Gaernarfon i Lanberis ac ymlaen dros y Bwlch! Bu’n rhaid disgwyl hyd ddechrau’r 1830au i gael ffordd newydd o Lanrug i Gwm y Glo ac ar hyd glannau Llyn Padarn at Gastell Dolbadarn. Ar y tiroedd uwch roedd y llwybrau gan amlaf, a phob bwlch yn bwysig. Nid anarferol oedd gweld carneddi o gerrig yn cael eu hadeiladu yn y bylchau, llawer ohonynt o gerrig gwynion, beth bynnag oedd arwyddocâd hynny. Roedd gosod croes yn y bylchau yn arferiad digon cyffredin hefyd. Dyna roes yr enw i Fwlch y Groes lle saif y llwybr o’r Waunfawr i Lanberis rhwng mynyddoedd y Cefn Du a Moel Eilio.

Cerddwyr yn hamddena neu feicwyr sy’n defnyddio’r llwybrau hyn heddiw, a mwynhad yw pwrpas y daith. Does ond diolch eu bod oll wedi eu cofrestru a’u gwarchod at ddefnydd y cenedlaethau i ddod. Ond rhaid peidio anghofio mai anghenraid oeddent ers talwm. Mae Dafydd Whiteside Thomas yn hanesydd lleol a rhedwr mynyddoedd. Llynnoedd Peris a Padarn o Ben Gorffwysfa Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn from Pen Gorffwysfa © Steve Lewis

When walking was the norm

Carneddi: cymorth neu rwystr

Dafydd Whiteside Thomas

In 1806 when Sian Dafydd married Dafydd Sion Owen in Llanfrothen Church, the married couple faced a long walk back to Llanberis. They travelled through Blaenau Nanmor to Nant Gwynant before climbing over Pen Gorffwysfa (Pen y Pass) and down Llanberis Pass along a rough path to the shores of lakes Peris and Padarn. They found no one at home in Dôl Tŷ Du to welcome them, so decided to proceed to Caernarfon to meet the family. At that time, the path climbed over Clegir; a path that, according to the Reverend Peter Bailey Williams, rector of Llanberis and Llanrug, was a “dangerous zig-zag” and so narrow that two horses could not pass each other. The only other choice was a boat from Llyn Peris along Afon y Bala to Llyn Padarn and on to Llyn Bogelyn and the small quay at Cwm y Glo. The famous bridge at Penllyn had not been built, and many a traveller used a boat along the three lakes. It was also the means of transporting copper ore from the mines at Nant Peris.

Heddiw, nid oes angen codi carneddi fel yn yr hen ddyddiau er mwyn arwain teithwyr unig dros y mynyddoedd. Yn hytrach, gan fod cymaint mwy o gerddwyr mynyddoedd yn ychwanegu at eu creu, cysylltir carneddi gydag erydiad llwybrau, ac rydym yn annog pobl i beidio â’u codi nag ychwanegu atyn nhw. Mae llwybrau’n cael eu niweidio pan gymerir cerrig o’r llwybr ei hun; mewn ambell i achos, mae’r carneddi’n tyfu cymaint fel eu bod yn creu rhwystr ar y llwybr ac yn gorfodi pobl i gerdded o’u cwmpas. Mewn achosion eraill, fe all carneddi atal neu niweidio draeniad y llwybr, gan beri mwy o erydiad i’r llwybr. Mae chwalu ambell i garnedd ac ail-ddefnyddio’r cerrig i wella’r llwybrau yn rhan o raglen waith llwybrau ein gwirfoddolwyr gyda Phroject Ecosystem Eryri. Mae’r gwaith hwn hefyd yn bwysig ar gyfer gwarchod rhostiroedd mynyddig bregus. Cysylltwch ag owain@snowdonia-society.org.uk i roi help llaw.

In 1812, Llanrug parish paid for improvements to this path, but it is still difficult to believe today that this was the ‘main road’ from Caernarfon to Llanberis and onwards up the pass. A new road through Cwm y Glo and along the shores of Llyn Padarn was not built until the early 1830s. Usually, the paths followed the high ground and each col or ‘bwlch’ was important. It was not unusual to see a cairn of stones atop each bwlch, many of them built of white stone, whatever that signified. It was common practice to erect a cross at each bwlch, too. This practice gave its name to Bwlch y Groes (Col of the Cross) that carries the path from Waunfawr to Llanberis between the mountains of Cefn Du and Moel Eilio. There were two large cairns at Pen Gorffwysfa. Edward Lhuyd records that his guide walked around one of these cairns nine times reciting the Lord’s Prayer as fast as possible. Gutyn Peris at a much later date also records a similar tradition. These cairns have long since gone, thankfully; imagine the chaos if all present-day travellers insisted on keeping this tradition alive! On either side of Dyffryn Peris lie Dyffryn Ogwen/Nant Ffrancon and Dyffryn Gwyrfai/Nant y Colwyn. Today, travelling from one valley to another involves miles of driving around the mountains. Walking across was the norm in olden days. Huw Derfel records that early worshippers from Nant Ffrancon walked through Bwlch y Brecan and down Cwm Dudodyn to the church of St Peris. Inhabitants of the Rhyd-ddu area followed suit by crossing over Bwlch Maesgwm. This latter bwlch was also used by Deio Cwmbrwynog to challenge the old bachelors of Clogwyn y Gwin near Llyn Cwellyn. There is hardly any connection between Rhyd-ddu and Cwm Pennant today, but in the old times people communicated regularly via Bwlch y Ddwy Elor. Walkers and mountain bikers use the paths today for recreational use. Thankfully, these paths have all been registered and will be available for use by generations to come. But we must not forget that they were once a necessity.

Cairns: help or hindrance? Today, the building of cairns no longer serves the original purpose of guiding lone travellers through the mountains. Rather, with so many more mountain walkers participating in the ritual, cairns are associated with footpath erosion, and building a cairn or adding to one is discouraged. Footpaths are damaged when stones are taken from the path itself; in some cases, cairns grow so large they completely obstruct the path, causing unsafe diversions; in other cases, footpath drainage can become blocked or damaged, causing further erosion to the path. Dismantling selected cairns and re-using the stone to improve the footpaths is part of the programme of footpath work for our Snowdonia Ecosystem Project volunteers, and can be used to protect fragile montain heath habitats. Contact owain@snowdonia-society.org.uk to lend a hand.

Dafydd Whiteside Thomas is a local historian and fell-runner. 13

Y Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol Glyn Evans

Mae’r Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol (RhBC), a ddatblygwyd gan yr elusen Sustrans, yn dathlu ei 20fed penblwydd eleni ac mae wedi helpu llawer o bobl yn yr ardal i gwblhau eu teithiau bob dydd ar droed neu ar feic. Mae’r RhBC yn cysylltu cymunedau ledled Eryri, ac yn fwy eang ledled gogledd Cymru, gan ddarparu llwybrau diogel, uniongyrchol a chyfforddus i bobl gerdded neu feicio ar deithiau rheolaidd. Hyd yn oed mewn ardaloedd gwledig megis Eryri, mae llawer o’r teithiau a wnawn yn eithaf byr o ran pellter, ac mae modd eu cwblhau ar feic, yn enwedig os oes llwybr diogel i’w ddilyn. Ysbrydolwyd llawer o ddatblygiad y RhBC wrth oresgyn anawsterau: croesi ffyrdd prysur, afonydd, neu ddod o hyd i lwybr eithaf gwastad i osgoi bryn. Ar derfyn Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri, roedd hyn yn cynnwys codi pont newydd dros y rheilffordd ym Morfa Conwy i ddarparu cyswllt uniongyrchol rhwng Llanfairfechan a Phenmaenmawr i Gonwy a Chyffordd Llandudno. Mae hwn ar Lwybr 5, a red ar hyd arfordir hyfryd gogledd Cymru i galonnau cymunedau, i siopau, ac ysgolion a’u swyddi. Llwybr hynod o boblogaidd yw Llwybr 8. Gan gysylltu Bangor a Chaernarfon gyda’r cymunedau o’u hamgylch, mae rhan o’r llwybr yn dilyn yr hen reilffordd, sy’n golygu ei fod yn hynod o wastad. Yn llai na 10 milltir rhwng y ddwy dref, dyma’r

ffordd berffaith i deithio, ac mae’n ffordd wych o deithio i orsaf reilffordd Bangor i greu taith hirach.

galluogi pobl i ddilyn y llwybr wrth ddysgu mwy am hanes yr ardal, ac fe gewch gyfle i ddatrys dirgelwch hynafol hefyd!

Efallai mai’r darn o’r RhBC a ddefnyddir fwyaf yn Eryri yw Llwybr Mawddach. Yn adran arall o Lwybr 8, mae’r llwybr hwn lle na cheir fawr o drafnidiaeth yn cysylltu Dolgellau a’r Bermo. Yn un o’r llwybrau beicio harddaf ledled y DU, rhed y llwybr wrth droed cribau Cadair Idris ac ar hyd aber yr afon Mawddach. Wrth deithio ar hyd y llwybr, sy’n llawn adar, fe welwch un o’r hen flychau signalau sy’n gweithredu fel man gwylio yng ngwarchodfa natur yr RSPB. Does dim ffordd well o deithiau rhwng y ddwy dref!

Pa well rheswm i fynd i’r awyr agored a dilyn Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol Eryri?

Cynhelir Llwybr Mawddach gan Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri, a bydd yn rhan o broject Sustrans hynod o gyffrous yr haf hwn. App ffôn clyfar yw ‘Celtic Tales’ sy’n 14

Ac mae mwy i ddod. Diolch i ddeddfwriaeth Llywodraeth Cymru (Deddf Teithio Llesol), mae’n ddyletswydd ar gynghorau Cymru i gynllunio llwybrau beic newydd ar gyfer y dyfodol - cyfle gwych i greu hyd yn oed mwy o lwybrau RhBC, gan gysylltu cartrefi pobl gyda’r mannau'r hoffen nhw eu gweld. *** Glyn Evans yw Rheolwr Ardal Gogledd a Chanolbarth Cymru dros Sustrans Cymru. Darganfyddwch ragor yn www.sustrans.co.uk

The National Cycle Network Glyn Evans

distance and can be made by bike, especially where safe routes exist. Much of the development of the NCN has been inspired by overcoming obstacles: crossing busy roads, rivers, or finding a reasonably flat route to avoid a hill. On the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, this involved building a new bridge over the railway line at Conwy Morfa to provide a direct link between Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr to Conwy and Llandudno Junction. This is on Route 5, which runs right along the scenic north Wales coast into the heart of communities, to shops, schools and their jobs. A hugely popular route is Route 8. Linking Bangor and Caernarfon with Delweddau/Images © Sustrans the surrounding communities, part of the route is on the former railway line, making it remarkably flat. At The National Cycle Network (NCN), less than 10 miles between the towns, it’s developed by charity Sustrans, celebrates the perfect way to travel between the two its 20th anniversary this year and has and is a great way to get to Bangor railway helped many people in the area make station to make a longer journey. their everyday local journeys on foot and by bike.

The NCN links communities across Snowdonia, and more widely across north Wales, providing safe, direct and comfortable routes for people to walk or cycle for regular journeys. Even in rural areas such as Snowdonia, many of the journeys we make are quite short in

Perhaps the best-used section of the NCN in Snowdonia is the Mawddach Trail. Another section of Route 8, this largely traffic free route links Dolgellau and Barmouth. One of the most scenic cycle routes across the UK, the trail runs along the foothills of Cadair 15

Idris, taking in the atmospheric Mawddach Estuary. Rich in bird life, the route passes one of the old railway signal boxes, now acting as an observation point in the RSPB nature reserve. What better way to travel between the two towns! The Mawddach Trail is maintained by the Snowdonia National Park Authority, and will be part of an exciting new Sustrans project this summer. ‘Celtic Tales’ is a smartphone application enabling people to follow the route while learning more about the history of the locality, with the chance to solve an ancient mystery, too! What better reason to get out on the National Cycle Network in Snowdonia! And there is more to come. Thanks to Welsh Government legislation (the Wales Active Travel Act), councils in Wales have a legal duty to plan new cycle routes for the future – a great opportunity to build even more NCN routes, linking people’s homes with the places they want to go. *** Glyn Evans is the North & Mid Wales Area Manager for Sustrans Cymru. Find out more at www.sustrans.co.uk

Mae Sherpa'r Wyddfa wedi colli ei ffordd Alan Crawshaw

amgylch Beddgelert a Betws-y-coed, yn unol ag amcan ‘mynediad i bawb’ y Parc Cenedlaethol.

Nod rhwydwaith Sherpa’r Wyddfa yw cyfyngu ar drafnidiaeth drwy hybu mynediad i ardaloedd mwyaf poblogaidd Eryri. Fe’i cefnogir gan Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri a Chynghorau Conwy a Gwynedd.

Mae angen ail-archwilio amlder ac amseroedd gweithredu’r rhwydwaith cyfan i ateb anghenion ymwelwyr a phreswylwyr fel ei gilydd, gan fod angen lefel o wasanaeth arnyn nhw drwy gydol y flwyddyn. Ni ddylai gwybodaeth am adegau gwyliau’r ysgol fod yn angenrheidiol wrth gynllunio ymweliad ag Eryri. Ychydig o hysbysebu a roir i docynnau Crwydro Dyddiol. Byddai cydweithrediad gyda threnau Arriva a Virgin wrth hysbysebu o fudd i bawb, yn ddelfrydol wrth ymgorffori amserlenni Sherpa yn amserlenni trên.

Yn anffodus, mae’r gwasanaeth wedi dirywio i amserlen brin sy’n golygu cryn gynllunio er mwyn llwyddo i gwblhau siwrnai. Yn amserlen yr haf diwethaf, roedd gwasanaeth amlder brig dyddiol o 15 neu 20 munud rhwng Bwlch Llanberis a Phen y Pas am £1. Ar hyn o bryd mae’r tâl yn £1.50 a cheir bws bob hanner awr, ar yr awr neu bob dwy awr yn dibynnu pa ddiwrnod o’r wythnos yw hi ac a yw’n wyliau ysgol ai peidio. Ceir gwasanaeth bysiau Sherpa eraill bob dwy awr ar y mwyaf, sy’n golygu mwy o drafnidiaeth, parcio anghyfreithlon a diffyg dewis i’r sawl hoffai ddefnyddio cludiant cyhoeddus.

Ar un pryd roedd amserlen cludiant cyhoeddus Cyngor Gwynedd ar gael yng ngorsaf drên Bangor ond rhoddwyd y gorau i’w cyhoeddi rai blynyddoedd yn ôl i arbed arian. Mae amserlen wedi ei hargraffu yn gyfaill hanfodol wrth deithio ar fws; dylid cyhoeddi un ar gyfer y gwasanaeth Sherpa i gynnwys cysylltiadau rheilffordd a map o’r llwybrau.

Yr Wyddfa yw mynydd prysuraf Cymru. Mae 100,000 o bobl yn mynd ar y trên o Lanberis bob blwyddyn a 400,000 yn cerdded i’r copa. Y mannau cychwyn mwyaf poblogaidd yw Llanberis a Phen y Pas. Er nad yw Llanberis ond 11 milltir o orsaf drên Bangor anaml yw’r gwasanaeth bws; nid yw ychwaith yn cael ei marchnata i ymwelwyr.

Mae potensial enfawr, a hwnnw heb ei archwilio, ar gyfer denu ymwelwyr heb geir i Eryri, ond ni fydd hyn yn digwydd gyda chyhoeddusrwydd mor sâl a bysiau anaml.

Mae’r ddwy fws gyntaf ar ddyddiau Sul o Gaernarfon i Lanberis yn cyrraedd am 08:04 a 09:04, sy’n golygu eu bod yn methu’r bysiau Sherpa S1 sy’n gadael am 08:00 a 09:00 o ychydig funudau. Am weddill y diwrnod mae cysylltiad amhosibl o dynn o un funud yn unig. Erbyn hyn nid oes gwasanaeth yn Nyffryn Ogwen.

Ymgyrchydd cludiant lleol yw Alan Crawshaw, sy’n hyrwyddo teithio ar gludiant cyhoeddus i ymwelwyr â Graianfryn, ei lety llysieuol.

Mae angen ail-werthuso’r rhwydwaith Sherpa o safbwynt ymwelydd sy’n cyrraedd ar y trên ac sy’n dymuno teithio o amgylch y Parc ar fws, yn ogystal ag annog modurwyr i adael eu ceir y tu allan i’r ffiniau. Dylid ystyried ymestyn y gwasanaeth Sherpa i gysylltu â’r brif orsaf reilffordd ym Mangor. Os nad yw hyn yn ymarferol, dylid newid yr arwydd sy’n nodi man cyrraedd llwybr 85 i ddarllen “Llanberis ar gyfer yr Wyddfa”, gydag arwyddion amlwg yn yr orsaf yn arwain ymwelwyr i’r arosfa fws a chysylltiadau da yn Llanberis ar gyfer y daith ymlaen i Ben y Pas a thu hwnt. Dylid ystyried hefyd anghenion ymwelwyr llai egnïol sy’n fwy hoff o deithiau byrrach o

Ymaros hir ●

Long wait ©

Paul Gannon

→ Gweler tud.25 i ddarllen cyfathrebiad ar y pwnc hwn. 16

Cymdeithas Eryri

Snowdonia Society

(SCE cofrestredig rhif 1155401)

(Registered CIO no. 1155401)

Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol Dydd Sadwrn, 17 Hydref 2015, 2yp Theatr y Ddraig a Chanolfan Cymunedol y Bermo Jubilee Road, Y BERMO, Gwynedd LL42 1EF

10.45 ‘Golwg o’r Bont’ – Taith gerdded ddwy-awr yn ardal y Bermo i gynnwys pont hanesyddol aber y Mawddach, sydd mewn perygl o gael ei chau i gerddwyr. Yn cynnwys rhywfaint o esgyn a thir garw. Gwisgwch fwts neu esgidiau cryfion. 13.00 Cinio (Mae archebu’n hanfodol – gweler y ffurflen isod) 14.00 Busnes swyddogol  Cofnodion CCB y llynedd a materion yn codi (Mae’r cofnodion ar gael ar ein gwefan ac o’r swyddfa, a byddent ar gael yn ystod y cyfarfod)  Adroddiad y Cadeirydd – David Archer  Adroddiad Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri – Mary-Kate Jones  Adroddiad y Cyfarwyddwr – John Harold  Adroddiad Ariannol – Judith Bellis  Cwestiynau i swyddogion a staff  Cynnig i fabwysiadu’n swyddogol yr Adroddiad Blynyddol a Chyfrifon y flwyddyn sy’n gorffen 30 Mehefin 2015  Cynnig i benodi Bennett Brooks yn Archwilwyr Annibynnol Cyfrifon y Gymdeithas am y cyfnod 2015/16  Ethol Swyddogion ac Ymddiriedolwyr  Llywydd: John Lloyd Jones OBE  Is-lywyddion: Huw Morgan Daniel, John Disley, David Firth, Sir John Houghton, Sir Simon Jenkins a Dr Morag McGrath  Cadeirydd: David Archer  Ymddiriedolwyr: Jacob Buis, Gareth Roberts, Robert Lowe, Kevin Jones, Sarah McCarthy  Dyddiad CCB y flwyddyn nesaf: 23ain Hydref 2016 15.30 Te a choffi 15.50 ‘Achub ein Hamgylchedd drwy Ddeddfu’ – Siaradwr gwadd, Alun Ffred Jones AC 16.50 Gorffen

Ffurflen Gofrestru Ticiwch y blychau priodol a dychwelwch y bonyn erbyn 8 Hydref: Hoffwn/Hoffem* gofrestru i ddod i’r CCB ac archebu _____ lle yn y gweithgareddau canlynol:  Busnes swyddogol y CCB  ‘Golwg o’r Bont’, taith gerdded dywys  Cinio (£8.50 yr un; rhaid amgáu siec yn daladwy i Gymdeithas Eryri)  Hoffwn/Hoffem gynnig cludiant/cael ein cludo* i leoliad y CCB ac oddi yno Anghenion bwyd arbennig: ..……………………………..…………………………………………………………………...................................…………………… Ymddiheuriadau  Ni allaf fynychu CCB y Gymdeithas eleni ac anfonaf fy ymddiheuriadau.  Amgaeaf rodd o £............. at waith y Gymdeithas. *Dilëwch fel bo angen

Enw(au):..……………………………..……………………………………………………………………………............................................................................... Cyfeiriad:……………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………........……………………………………………………..……………………………………………...….................................................... Ffôn: ………………………………………………….......….............. E-bost: ……………………………………...............………..…….................................... Dychwelwch at: Frances Smith, Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society, Caban, Brynrefail, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3NR  01286 685498

 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk

www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk

Cymdeithas Eryri

Snowdonia Society

(SCE cofrestredig rhif 1155401)

(Registered CIO no. 1155401)

Annual General Meeting Saturday, 17 October 2015, 2pm Dragon Theatre and Barmouth Community Centre Jubilee Road, BARMOUTH, Gwynedd LL42 1EF

10.45 Views on a Bridge - A two hour walk in the vicinity of Barmouth to include the historic Barmouth estuary bridge, threatened by closure to walkers. Led by Society Chair, David Archer. Great views guaranteed. Involves some ascent and rough ground; boots recommended. 13.00 Buffet lunch (must be ordered in advance - see the form below) 14.00 Formal business  Minutes of the 2014 AGM and matters arising (Minutes available from our website, office and on the day)  Chair’s report – David Archer  Snowdonia Ecosystem Project report – Mary-Kate Jones  Director’s report – John Harold  Financial Report – Judith Bellis  Questions to officers and staff  Motion to formally adopt the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 30th June 2015  Motion to appoint Bennett Brooks as Independent Examiners of the Society’s Accounts for 2015/16  Election of Officers and Trustees of the Executive Committee  President: John Lloyd Jones OBE  Vice-Presidents: Huw Morgan Daniel, John Disley, David Firth, Sir John Houghton, Sir Simon Jenkins and Dr Morag McGrath  Chair: David Archer  Trustees: Jacob Buis, Gareth Roberts, Robert Lowe, Kevin Jones, Sarah McCarthy  Date of next year’s AGM: 23rd October 2016 15.30 Tea and coffee 15.50 ‘Saving our Environment Through Legislation’ with guest speaker Alun Ffred Jones AM. 16.50 Finish

Registration Form th

Please tick as appropriate and return by 8 October: I/We* would like to register for the AGM and book _____ place(s) for the following activities:  AGM Formal Business  ‘Views on a Bridge’ walk  Lunch (£8.50 per person; a cheque made payable to Snowdonia Society must be enclosed)  I/We would like to offer/accept* a lift to and from the AGM venue. Special dietary requirements: ..……………………………..……………………………………………………………………............................................….… Apologies  I am/We are unable to attend the Society’s AGM this year and hereby send my/our apologies.  Please accept a donation of £............ towards the Society’s work. * Delete as applicable

Name(s):..……………………………..…………………………………………………………………………….................................................................................. Address:……………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..........................….........................................… Tel: ………………………………………………….......….............. Email: ……………………………………...............……...........................................…..…… Return to: Frances Smith, Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society, Caban, Brynrefail, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3NR  01286 685498

 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk b

www.snowdonia-society.org.uk

The Snowdon Sherpa has lost its way Alan Crawshaw

The Snowdon Sherpa bus network aims to reduce traffic by facilitating access to the most popular areas of Snowdonia. It is supported by the Snowdonia National Park Authority and Conwy and Gwynedd Councils. Unfortunately, this service has declined to a sparse timetable requiring meticulous planning to avoid being stranded. Last summer's timetable featured a 15 or 20 minute daily peak frequency between Llanberis and Pen y Pass for £1. The current fare is £1.50, and the frequency half-hourly, hourly or two hourly depending on the day of the week and whether or not it's a school holiday. The other Sherpa buses run every two hours at best, resulting in more traffic and illegal parking and discouraging visitors who might prefer public transport.

around Beddgelert and Betws-y-coed should also be considered, in line with the National Park's remit of ‘access for all’. The frequency and operating times of the whole network need to be re-examined to fulfil the needs of both visitors and residents, who need a minimum level of service throughout the year; a knowledge of school holiday times should not be necessary when planning a visit to Snowdonia. Day Rover tickets are poorly advertised. Cooperation with Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin in advertising would be mutually beneficial, ideally with Sherpa timetables incorporated into rail timetables.

Snowdon is Wales' busiest mountain; 100,000 people take the train from Llanberis each year and 400,000 walk to the summit, with Llanberis and Pen y Pass as the most popular starting points. Llanberis is only 11 miles from Bangor railway station but they are connected only by an infrequent bus service that is not marketed to visitors.

Gwynedd Council's public transport timetable booklet used to be available at Bangor railway station but publication ceased a few years ago to save money. A printed timetable is an invaluable companion when travelling by bus; as a bare minimum one should be published for the Sherpa service to include rail connections and a route map.

The first two Sunday buses from Caernarfon to Llanberis arrive at 08:04 and 09:04, just missing the Sherpa S1 buses which leave at 08:00 and 09:00, while for the rest of the day there's an impossibly tight connection of one minute. There is no longer a service to the Ogwen Valley. The Sherpa network needs to be re-evaluated from the perspective of a visitor arriving by train and wanting to travel around the Park by bus, as well as encouraging motorists to leave their cars outside the boundary. Consideration ought to be given to extending the Sherpa coverage to connect with the main line railway station at Bangor. If this is impractical, the destination board of the 85 route should be altered to read "Llanberis for Snowdon", with prominent signage at the station guiding visitors to the bus stop and good connections at Llanberis for the onward journey to Pen y Pass and beyond. The needs of less active visitors who prefer gentle strolls

There is vast untapped potential for attracting visitors without cars to Snowdonia, but this will not be realised with such poor publicity and infrequent buses. Alan Crawshaw is a local transport campaigner, who promotes travel by public transport to visitors to Graianfryn, the vegetarian guesthouse he runs. → See p.25 for correspondence on this matter. 17

Tŷ Hyll

a Ffordd Caergybi Mae hi’n ddwy ganrif union ers codi Pont Waterloo ym Metws-y-coed. Roedd y bont yn brif elfen o Ffordd Caergybi Telford a ddenodd fwy o drafnidiaeth a thwristiaid i Eryri, a bellach dynodwyd y ffordd yn Llwybr Hanesyddol. A yw Tŷ Hyll yn bodoli o ganlyniad i’r ffordd hon ac i benderfyniad Telford i wyro o’r ffordd dyrpeg wreiddiol yma a chroesi i ochr ogleddol y Llugwy? Mae’n bosibl bod rhyw ffurf o adeilad yn bodoli yma cyn cwblhau’r bont ym 1821, ond er gwaethaf y chwedlau sy’n gysylltiedig â’r tŷ nid oes neb wedi dod hyd i dystiolaeth ysgrifenedig. Mae tystiolaeth o gyfrifiadau’r 19eg ganrif, fodd bynnag, yn awgrymu dyddiadau posibl ar gyfer y Tŷ Hyll yr ydym yn gyfarwydd ag ef heddiw. Yng nghyfrifiad 1841 rhestrwyd dau adeilad gwag gerllaw fferm Glyn Llugwy (ychydig i’r gorllewin o safle Tŷ Hyll). Mewn cyfrifiadau canlynol cawn gyfeiriadau at nifer o adeiladau sef Bwthyn y Ward Du (1851), Tŷ’r Bont/Bont Sarn Ddu (1861), Tŷ’r Bont (1881) a Tŷ Hyll (1891 ac 1901). Daw’r dystiolaeth orau sydd gennym fod y rhain yn cyfeirio at Dŷ Hyll fel yr ydym yn ei adnabod heddiw gan ymwelydd ym 1837, George John Bennett, a ysgrifennodd yn The Pedestrian’s Guide through North Wales, “near the two mile stone is one of the most picturesque cottages imaginable, placed on the side of a hill above the bridge, which crosses the river Llugwy, and gives additional beauty to the romantic dell.” Mae’n anhebyg bod Tŷ Hyll ar ei wedd bresennol wedi ei adeiladu cyn Ffordd Caergybi, sy’n awgrymu dyddiad rhwng 1821 ac 1837. Mae ei gofrestriad Gradd II am “its special architectural interest as an early C19 Picturesque cottage and for the historical interest of its early association with tourism in North Wales”, fel pe bai’n cefnogi’r dyddiad hwn. Preswylwyr y tai a restrir uchod yn 1851 hyd 1881 oedd Robert Roberts (chwarelwr/ ffermwr) a’i deulu. Tybed a oedd rôl y teulu’n cynnwys darparu lluniaeth i deithwyr oedd yn mynd heibio (ar droed, ar gefn ceffyl neu yn y goets fawr) fel y bu i lawer o breswylwyr ers hynny? A beth am y chwedlau sy’n sôn am Dŷ Hyll fel tŷ unnos o’r 15fed ganrif neu guddfan i ladron pen-ffordd? Efallai y bydd ymchwil pellach yn datgelu rhyfeddodau lu am y man difyr a dirgel hwn. Frances Smith

Tŷ Hyll

and the Holyhead Road Tŷ Hyll ca.1900 ● Delwedd drwy garedigrwydd/Image courtesy Shaun Hewitt

It is exactly 200 years since the building of the Waterloo Bridge at Betws-y -coed. The bridge was a key element of Telford’s Holyhead Road which opened up Snowdonia to more traffic and to tourists, and is now designated a Historic Route. Does Tŷ Hyll owe its existence to this road and to Telford’s decision to deviate from the original turnpike road here and cross to the northern side of the Llugwy? It is possible that some form of dwelling existed here before the completion of the bridge in 1821 but, despite the legends associated with the house, no written evidence has yet been located. Evidence from 19th century censuses, however, narrows down possible dates for the Tŷ Hyll we know today. The 1841 census lists two uninhabited buildings neighbouring Glyn Llugwy farm (just west of the Tŷ Hyll site). Subsequent censuses refer variously to Cottage of Black Ward (1851), Ty’r Bont/Bont Sarn Ddu* (1861), Black wharf (1871), Ty’r Bont (1881) and Tŷ Hyll (1891 & 1901). The most compelling evidence that these refer to the Tŷ Hyll we know and love comes from an 1837 tourist, George John Bennett, who wrote in Pedestrian’s Guide through North Wales, “near the two mile stone is 18

one of the most picturesque cottages imaginable, placed on the side of a hill above the bridge, which crosses the river Llugwy, and gives additional beauty to the romantic dell”. It seems unlikely that Tŷ Hyll in its current form was built before the Holyhead Road, suggesting a date between 1821 and 1837. The Grade 2 listing for “its special architectural interest as an early C19 Picturesque cottage and for the historical interest of its early association with tourism in North Wales”, lends weight to this date. Robert Roberts (quarryman/farmer) and his family were residents of the dwellings listed above from 1851 to 1881. One wonders if the family’s role extended to providing refreshments to passing travellers (whether on foot, on horseback or in a stagecoach) as it has done for many residents since. As to the legends of Tŷ Hyll being a 15th century ‘tŷ unnos’ or a highway robbers’ hideout, who can say? Further research may shed more light on this intriguing and mysterious place. Frances Smith

Mae Bethan yn tyfu Tŷ Hyll

Bethan is growing Tŷ Hyll

Erbyn y byddwch yn darllen y cylchgrawn hwn, bydd ein Swyddog Tyfu Tŷ Hyll newydd wedi cwblhau ei haf cyntaf. Roeddem wrth ein bodd croesawu Bethan Wynne Jones i’r tîm. Yn ferch fferm leol gyda gradd mewn Gwyddoniaeth Gwlyptir a Chadwraeth, mae hi mewn sefyllfa ddelfrydol i ddatblygu gweithgareddau yn Nhŷ Hyll ac ysbrydoli mwy o bobl i gymryd rhan mewn cadwraeth, garddio bywyd gwyllt, rheolaeth coedlannau ac, wrth gwrs, i gael eu cyffroi gan Eryri.

By the time you read this magazine, our new Growing Tŷ Hyll Officer will have completed her first summer. We were delighted to welcome Bethan Wynne Jones to the team. A local farmer’s daughter with a degree in Wetland Science and Conservation, she is ideally placed to develop activities at Tŷ Hyll and inspire ever more people to get involved in and excited about conservation, wildlife gardening, woodland management and, of course, Snowdonia.

Meddai Bethan o’i rôl, “Rhyw bythefnos yn ôl roeddwn yn eistedd ar fainc ym mhen ucha’r ardd yn Nhŷ Hyll yn gwylio’r adar (a’r gwiwerod) yn aros yn amyneddgar am eu tro ar y bwydwr ac yn gwrando ar yr awel yn sisial drwy’r coed. Hyd yn oed yng nglaw trwm Eryri mae’r lle yma mor heddychlon, felly gallwch ddychmygu fy mrwdfrydedd pan gefais gynnig swydd yma!

Bethan says of her role, “A couple of weeks ago I was sitting on the bench at the top the garden at Tŷ Hyll watching the birds (and the squirrels) queuing patiently for their turn on the feeder and listening to the trees swaying in the wind. Even in the pouring Welsh rain this place oozes serenity, so you can imagine my enthusiasm when I was offered a job here!

“Fy rôl yma ydy ‘Tyfu Tŷ Hyll', sef datblygu pellach y blynyddoedd o waith gan wirfoddolwyr mewn rheoli coedlannau a garddio bywyd gwyllt, a rhannu’r lle hyfryd hwn gyda’n gwirfoddolwyr, ein haelodau a’r cyhoedd.

“I’ve been tasked with the role of ‘Growing Tŷ Hyll', building on the years of work by volunteers of woodland management and wildlife gardening, and sharing this beautiful place with our volunteers, members and the wider public.

“Mae hi wedi bod yn ddau fis gwych a phrysur o weithio yma! Yn ogystal â chymryd rhan yn ochr ymarferol rheoli coedlannau ac arwain gweithdai coedlannau, rydw i wedi cyfarfod grŵp o bobl hynod wybodus sy’n dod o bob math o gefnir. Rydym wedi llunio rhaglen o ddigwyddiadau i Dŷ Hyll sy’n cynnwys dyddiau cymunedol a hwyl i’r teulu megis helfa drysor ac adnabod coed, yn ogystal â chadw gwenyn a dyddiau hyfforddiant adnabod planhigion a chwrs hynod o boblogaidd ar arolygu mamaliaid bychan.

“It has been a brilliantly busy two months of working here! As well as getting involved in the practical side of woodland management and leading woodland workdays, I’ve met a group of amazingly knowledgeable people from many different backgrounds. We’ve put together a programme of events for Tŷ Hyll that includes community and family days such as treasure hunts and tree identification, as well as bee-keeping and plant identification training days and a highly popular small mammal survey course.

“Diolch i bawb sydd wedi fy nghroesawu i Dŷ Hyll, ac edrychaf ymlaen at gyfarfod llawer mwy o aelodau a gwirfoddolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri yn y dyfodol agos.”

“Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me to Tŷ Hyll, and I look forward to meeting many more Snowdonia Society members and volunteers in the near future.”

Gallwch weld rhestr o’n digwyddiadau diweddaraf yn Nhŷ Hyll yn y raglen amgaeëdig, drwy ymweld â’n gwefan neu arwyddo i dderbyn ein e-fwletin.

Check out latest events at Tŷ Hyll in the enclosed programme, by visiting our website or signing up to our e-newsletter.

Holyhead Road Pa mor aml ydych chi wedi teithio ar hyd yr A5 ac ystyried cefndir y ffordd ddifyr hon? Mae’r cofnod ffotograffig hwn o’r nodweddion a welir ar yr adran o Ffordd Caergybi rhwng Porthaethwy a Betws-y-coed yn cynnwys amlinelliad o hanes bywyd Thomas Telford, gwybodaeth am adeiladu’r ffordd, mannau aros a tholldai, ac mae’n tynnu sylw at rai nodweddion y gellir yn hawdd eu methu wrth deithio ar y ffordd megis y mannau cadw nwyddau o boptu’r ffordd. 19

How often have you travelled along the A5 and wondered about this historic route? This photographic record of the many features on the 'Holyhead Road' between Menai Bridge and Betwsy-coed includes an outline life story of Thomas Telford, information about construction, staging posts and toll houses, and draws attention to some features that might otherwise go unnoticed such as the roadside 'depots'. Awdur/Author: Ken Farrance; £6 Cyhoeddwyd ar ran Rheilffordd Ucheldir Cymru. Published on behalf of the Welsh Highland Heritage. Railway

Ein gwefan newydd ● Our new website

Yr haf hwn lansiwyd gwefan newydd Cymdeithas Eryri. Ydych chi wedi ei gweld?

This summer saw the launch of the new Snowdonia Society website. Have you seen it yet?

Gallwch ddilyn pob un o’n gweithgareddau drwy chwilio am y rhestr ddigwyddiadau, boed y rheini’n ddyddiau gwaith gwirfoddolwyr, gweithgareddau yn Nhŷ Hyll, neu deithiau cerdded, sgyrsiau a digwyddiadau i’r teulu, yn ogystal â’r rhai hynny a drefnwyd ar ôl i’r rhaglen gael ei hargraffu a’i dosbarthu.

Still at the same address, you can keep track of all our events via the events listings, whether volunteers workdays, activities at Tŷ Hyll, or walks, talks and family events, as well as those arranged after the printed programme is distributed.

Ewch i ymweld â’n siop ar-lein, lle gallwch bellach brynu ein ‘Hadau i Wenyn’, yn ogystal â’n casgliad diweddaraf o gardiau Nadolig. Mae’r wefan yn hawdd i’w defnyddio ar ffonau symudol, felly cewch y datblygiadau diweddaraf am ein gweithgareddau, a gallwn ledaenu ein neges yn fwy effeithiol drwy gyfrwng sianeli cyfryngol fel y Gweplyfr (Facebook) a Thrydar (Twitter), rhywbeth sy’n angenrheidiol er mwyn sicrhau bod grwp ehangach o bobl yn cymryd rhan yn ein gwaith gwirfoddoli a’n hymgyrchoedd. Yn olaf, mae’r holl wybodaeth am Dŷ Hyll yma yn yr un lle erbyn hyn. Ydych chi’n derbyn ein e-gylchlythyr? Y ffordd orau i gael gwybodaeth rhwng y rhifynnau o’r cylchlythyr yw drwy danysgrifio drwy’r cyswllt ar y wefan, neu cysylltwch â ni ar info@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Check out the on-line shop, where you can now buy our wonderful 'Seeds for Bees', not to mention our latest collection of Christmas cards. The site is mobile-friendly so you can keep up to date with our activities more easily while you are on the go, and we can draw attention to our campaigns more effectively via social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter - a must for getting a wider group of people involved in our volunteer work and campaigns. Further, all news and information about Tŷ Hyll (the Ugly House) is now included here, under one roof!

Are you receiving our e-bulletin? The best way to be kept informed between magazine mailings, you can subscribe via the link on the website or contact us on 01286 6854898 or info@ snowdonia-society.org.uk

www.cymdeithas-eryri .org.uk ● www.snowdonia-society.org.uk

Achubwch y gwenyn!

Help save the bees!

Rhowch wledd i'ch gwenyn lleol wrth dyfu ein Hadau er lles Gwenyn! Dewis eang o flodau gwyllt brodorol ac amrywiadau gardd. Ar gael i'w prynu ar-lein rwan. Dim ond £1 y pecyn + post a chludiant. Wedi eu casglu a phacio â llaw gan wirfoddolwyr Tŷ Hyll. Pob elw at ein gwaith yn Nhŷ Hyll.

Make your local bees really pleased by growing our Seeds for Bees! Wide choice of native wildflowers and cultivated varieties. Now available to buy on-line. Only £1 per pack + P&P Hand-collected and packed by Tŷ Hyll volunteers. All proceeds go to our work at Tŷ Hyll.

Archebwch eich hadau ar ein gwefan tra'u bod ar gael!

Order yours on our website while stocks last! 2020

Dathlwch Eryri y Nadolig hwn drwy anfon cardiau Nadolig Cymdeithas Eryri £2.75 fesul pecyn o 5

(+ £2.99 postio a chludiant). Dewis o 3 cynllun. Mae’r cyfarchiad y tu mewn yn dweud ‘Cyfarchion y Tymor’. Ewch i'n gwefan i archebu ar-lein neu anfonwch siec yn daladwy i ‘Cymdeithas Eryri’ gan nodi faint o gardiau sydd eu hangen arnoch a’r cynllun.

Moel Eilio

Crib Goch

Celebrate Snowdonia this Christmas with Snowdonia Society Christmas cards

Tŷ Hyll

Lluniau drwy garedigrwydd/Photos courtesy Steve Lewis & Peter Ogwen Jones.

£2.75 per pack of 5 (+ £2.99 p&p per order) Choice of 3 designs. The greeting inside reads 'Season's Greetings'. Visit our website to order on-line or send a cheque payable to 'Snowdonia Society' stating quantity and design. Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society, Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3NR

01286 685498 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk • www.snowdonia-society.org.uk

Celebration giving

Rhoddion dathlu

People love to give and often want to give even when you say "No presents, please!" So, if you have something to celebrate, instead of saying ‘no presents’, why not ask friends and family to make a donation to the Snowdonia Society?

Mae pobl yn hoffi rhoi ac yn dymuno gwneud hynny hyd yn oed pan fyddwch yn datgan “Dim anrhegion os gwelwch yn dda!” Felly, yn hytrach na dweud ‘dim anrhegion’, pam na wnewch chi ofyn i gyfeillion a theulu gyfrannu at Gymdeithas Eryri?

Birthdays, Christmas, weddings, christenings, retirement or any other occasion where people traditionally give gifts are all opportunities to invite donations to a cause you care about. Your celebration is an opportunity to celebrate Snowdonia by helping us in our work of protecting and enhancing Snowdonia, its landscapes and wildlife.

Mae pen-blwydd, Nadolig, priodas, bedydd, ymddeol neu unrhyw achlysur arall lle mae pobl yn draddodiadol yn rhoi anrhegion i gyd yn gyfleoedd i wahodd cyfraniadau i achos sy’n agos at eich calon. Mae eich dathliad chi’n gyfle i ddathlu Eryri drwy ein helpu gyda’n gwaith o warchod a gwella Eryri, ei thirluniau a’i bywyd gwyllt.

Cysylltwch â ni am becyn Rhoddion Dathlu neu galwch heibio ein tudalen codi arian ar JustGiving.com/snowdonia-society

e ak kC Stickybea

Diolch yn fawr i Mal a gododd dros £1,100 yn ddiweddar drwy ofyn i’w westeion gyfrannu i Gymdeithas Eryri yn hytrach na rhoi anrhegion pen-blwydd iddo. A diolch enfawr hefyd i bob un o’i westeion!

Thank you to Mal who recently raised over £1,100 by asking his guests to make a donation to the Snowdonia Society in lieu of birthday gifts. And a huge thank you to all his guests!

Gostyngiadau

Discounts

i aelodau Cymdeithas Eryri

for Snowdonia Society members

Mae amryw o’n Haelodau Busnes yn cynnig gostyngiadau i aelodau Cymdeithas Eryri; cewch hyd i’r rhestr ddiweddaraf isod. Efallai y bydd amodau - gwiriwch gyda’r busnes dan sylw pan fyddwch yn prynu neu’n archebu.

Thank you to those Business Members who offer discounts to Snowdonia Society members; an updated list of discounts is below. Conditions may apply - please check with the business concerned at the time of purchase or booking.

Tŷ Hyll, Capel Curig - 20% oddi ar archebion bwyd a diod

Tŷ Hyll, Capel Curig - 20% on food and drink orders

Cotswold Outdoor - 20% wrth brynu yn y siop neu ar-lein

Cotswold Outdoor - 20% on in-shop and on-line purchases

Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y-coed - 10% oddi ar lety

Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y-coed - 10% on accommodation

Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig - 10% wrth aros ar restr GaB

Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig - 10% on standby B&B

Bryn Afon Guest House, Betws-y-coed - 5% ar lety GaB

Bryn Afon Guest House, Betws-y-coed - 5% on B&B accommodation

RAW Adventures - 10% oddi ar yr hyfforddiant canlynol: Medrau Bryn a Mynydd, Gwobr Arweiniad Tir Isel.

RAW Adventures - 10% on the following Mountain Training courses: Hill & Mountain Skills; Lowland Leader Award

Joe Brown, Llanberis a Chapel Curig - 10% wrth brynu yn y siop neu ar-lein

Joe Brown, Llanberis & Capel Curig - 10% on in-shop and on-line purchases

KWJ Computers a Gwynedd CCTV - 20% ar becynnau CCTV ac ar y rhan fwyaf o liniaduron

KWJ Computers & Gwynedd CCTV - 20% on CCTV packages and on most laptops Make sure you always carry your Snowdonia Society membership card with you so you can benefit from the discounts!

Cofiwch fynd â’ch cerdyn aelodaeth Cymdeithas Eryri efo chi er mwyn i chi gael elwa o’r gostyngiadau!

Ddim yn aelod? Ymaelodwch nawr ar ein gwefan: www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk

Not a member? Join now on our website: www.snowdonia-society.org.uk

Aelodau Busnes newydd ● New Business Members Rydym yn falch o gyhoeddi enwau’r busnesau mwyaf diweddar sydd wedi dewis cefnogi gwaith Cymdeithas Eryri drwy ddod yn Aelodau Busnes.

We're pleased to announce the latest businesses who have chosen to support the Snowdonia Society's work by becoming Business Members.

Tŷ Te Pen-y-Ceunant Isaf, Llanberis www.snowdoncafe.com Yn gweini te, coffi, gwin cynnes, siocled poeth a detholiad o gwrw lleol, rydych yn siŵr o dderbyn croeso cynnes yn y caffi di-lol hwn i gerddwyr ar Lwybr Llanberis. Diolch enfawr i Steffan, sydd bob amser yn cynnig cawl poeth o flaen tanllwyth o dân i wirfoddolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri ar ôl iddyn nhw fod yn codi sbwriel ar yr Wyddfa!

Pen-y-Ceunant Isaf Tea House, Llanberis www.snowdoncafe.com Serving tea, coffee, mulled wine, hot chocolate and a selection of local beers, you’re always sure of a warm welcome at this unpretentious walkers’ café on the Llanberis Path. A big thank you to Steffan, who always offers Snowdonia Society volunteers hot soup in front of a warming fire after they have been litterpicking on Snowdon!

Tafarn Bryn Tyrch, Capel Curig www.bryntyrchinn.co.uk Y lle perffaith i fwyta neu gysgu. Fe saif mewn man cyfleus ar yr A5 yng nghanol Eryri, felly pam na wnewch chi alw i mewn y tro nesa y byddwch yn mynd heibio? Cyrhaeddodd y rownd derfynol ar gyfer ‘Man Gorau i Fwyta’ yng Ngwobrau Twristiaeth Cenedlaethol 2013.

Bryn Tyrch Inn, Capel Curig www.bryntyrchinn.co.uk The Bryn Tyrch Inn is the perfect place to eat and sleep. Conveniently situated on the A5 in the heart of Snowdonia, why not call in next time you are passing? Finalist for ‘Best Place to Eat’ in 2013 National Tourism Awards.

Os ydych yn gwybod am fusnes sy’n gweithredu ym Mharc Cenedlaethol Eryri neu’n agos ato, pam na wnewch chi awgrymu eu bod yn ymaelodi fel Aelodau Busnes? Cysylltwch â ni i ofyn am becyn Aelodaeth Fusnes neu ewch i'n gwefan i ddarganfod rhagor

If you know a business that operates in or near the Snowdonia National Park, why not suggest they become Business Members? Contact us for a Business Membership pack or visit our website to find out more. 22

Llyfrau newydd ● New books Snowdonia Cycle Guide

Gan/By Phil Horsley £6.50; Llygad Gwalch Cyf

Dyma arweinlyfr bach difyr sy’n cyflwyno dros 30 o lwybrau beicio wedi eu graddio ar hyd a lled Eryri. Nid arweiniad i feiciau mynydd yw hwn - yn hytrach, mae’r llwybrau’n dilyn ffyrdd tawel nad ydyn nhw’n agos at draffig, gyda rhywfaint o ddefnydd o lwybrau beiciau.

This is a quirky little guide with over 30 graded cycle routes covering the length and breadth of Snowdonia. It is not a mountain-bike guide - rather, the routes seek out quiet roads away from the traffic with some use of cycle tracks.

Mae’r cyflwyniad manwl yn gymysgedd o wybodaeth gefndir sy’n trafod y pethau ymarferol ynglŷn â beicio yn Eryri, hanes, nodweddion naturiol, newid hinsawdd, gwleidyddiaeth ffermio defaid gyda chymorth cymorthdaliadau, a mwy. Mae’n cynnig cyngor defnyddiol ar feicio amddiffynnol; os rhywbeth, fe all yr adrannau sy’n ymwneud â beicio fod yn hirach.

The extensive introduction is an eclectic mix of background information covering the practicalities of cycling in Snowdonia, history, natural features, climate change, the politics of subsidised sheep-farming and more. It offers some useful advice on defensive cycling; if anything, these cycling related sections could be longer.

Yn cyd-fynd â phob llwybr mae map deniadol a grëwyd â llaw. Disgrifiadol yw testun y llwybr yn hytrach na chyfarwyddiadau manwl ac nid yw’r mapiau bob amser yn nodi’r union lwybr na chyfeiriad y teithio. Heb wybodaeth flaenorol o’r ardal neu gymorth map AO mae’n bosib y byddai’r beiciwr yn ei chael yn anodd dod o hyd i’r ffordd. Ceir gwybodaeth sylweddol am nodweddion o ddiddordeb ar hyd y llwybr (ac ambell dro gryn bellter o’r llwybr), er nad ydy’r rhain i gyd wedi eu nodi ar y mapiau am ryw reswm.

Each route is accompanied by an attractive hand-drawn map. The route text is descriptive rather than giving detailed directions and the maps don’t always indicate the exact route or direction of travel; without prior knowledge of the area or the help of an OS map the cyclist might struggle to find her way. Substantial information is given about features of interest along the way (and occasionally some distance from the way), oddly not all marked on the maps. Following initial disappointment at the sketchy directions and the many errors in typography and fact, as I read on I was won over by the spirit of the guide. Anyone wanting accurate pedalby-pedal instructions will be disappointed (and the thick format sized between A5 and A6 doesn’t encourage reference enroute). However, Horsley promotes a spirit of exploration and reconnection with our surroundings.

Ond, yn dilyn fy siom ar y cychwyn oherwydd y cyfarwyddiadau annigonol a’r llu o gamgymeriadau o ran teipograffeg a ffaith, daeth ysbryd yr arweinlyfr yn fwyfwy amlwg wrth i mi ddarllen ymlaen. Bydd unrhyw un sy’n chwilio am gyfarwyddiadau manwl gywir yn siomedig (ac nid yw’r fformat trwchus rhwng A5 ac A6 mewn maint yn annog neb i gyfeirio ato ar y daith). Fodd bynnag, mae Horsley yn hyrwyddo ysbryd o fforio ac ail-gysylltu â’n hamgylchiadau.

The Snowdonia Cycle Guide reminds an amateur cyclist like me of the joy and sensory stimulation cycling offers, not to mention health benefits for mind and body, and is an inspiration to explore beyond my usual patch.

Mae Snowdonia Cycle Guide yn atgoffa beicwyr amatur fel myfi o lawenydd beicio a’r hwb i’r synhwyrau a gynigir ganddo, heb sôn am y buddion o ran iechyd i’r meddwl ac i’r corff. Mae’n ysbrydoliaeth i fforio y tu hwnt i’m hardal leol.

Frances Smith

Saving Open Spaces gan/by Kate Ashbrook

Am bersbectif tymor hir ar gadwraeth tirlun byddai’n anodd gwella ar yr 'Open Spaces Society' (OSS), sy’n dathlu ei phen-blwydd yn 150 eleni. Mae Saving Open Spaces yn darparu golwg ddefnyddiol o hanes y Gymdeithas a’i hymgyrchoedd hanesyddol - roedd yr OSS yn gatalydd ar gyfer sefydlu corff mor flaengar â’r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol. Mae Ysgrifennydd Cyffredinol yr OSS, Kate Ashbrook, sy’n ymgyrchydd brwd ei hun, wedi rhoi’r llyfr difyr hwn at ei gilydd i nodi carreg filltir arall. Yn fach o ran graddfa ond yn eang ei gwmpas, yn ddylanwadol ac yn 23 23

eofn, mae rhywun un teimlo bod angen y corff hwn fwy nag erioed yn yr oes sydd ohoni. For a long-term perspective on landscape conservation it would be hard to match the Open Spaces Society (OSS), which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Saving Open Spaces provides a useful overview of the Society's history and of its historic campaigns - the OSS was a catalyst for the formation of no less a body than the National Trust. OSS' General Secretary Kate Ashbrook, herself an indefatigable campaigner, has put together this interesting book to mark another milestone. Small in scale but broad in scope, influential and generally fearless, one feels that this organisation is needed more than ever today.

Llythyrau • Letters Croesewir llythyrau a sylwadau ar unrhyw agwedd o’n gwaith a’n hymgyrchoedd, neu ar unrhyw fater sy’n effeithio ar y Parc Cenedlaethol. Argraffir llythyrau yn yr iaith y cawn hwy.

We welcome letters or comments on any aspect of our work and campaigns or on any issue that affects the National Park. Letters are printed in the language in which we receive them.

Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society, Yr Hen Ysgol, Caban, Brynrefail, Caernarfon LL55 3NR

info@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Oes angen ail-wylltio tirweddau ‘anial’? Do 'barren' landscapes Cwm Ffynnon, y Glyderau: Rhostir (chwith) a glaswelltir (de) yn ganlyniad o lefelau gwahanol need rewilding? o bori. ● Heathland (left) and grassland (right) resulting from different levels of grazing.

Llun/Photo: J & M Sherry

Dear Editors, I hiked to the top of Snowdon yesterday and I was interested to see that where small patches of land were fenced off the area appeared to be recovering with trees and heathland plants. Rewilding was a topic put forward for discussion at your AGM last year. Are there any updates on this? I really enjoyed the walk and found the views beautiful, but I couldn't help noticing how barren it seemed; I barely saw any flowers or birds - just tormentils and ravens and a few other things. Yours, Jack Riggall, Trainee countryside ranger Wrth ddilyn unrhyw un o lwybrau’r Wyddfa, byddwch wedi mynd heibio rhai cynefinoedd sy’n cynnal rhywogaethau prin. Yn ddisylw’n aml, mae goroesiad y planhigion yma a’r anifeiliaid sy’n dibynnu arnyn nhw yn gysylltiedig â’r lefel o bori’n aml. Heb rywfaint o bori, fe fydden nhw’n cael eu mygu gan blanhigion mwy egnïol megis rhedyn, mieri, prysgwydd a choed. Byddai rhywogaethau eraill yn elwa, yn sicr, ond fe all rhai o ‘blanhigion arbenigol’ Eryri ddiflannu. Yn ddelfrydol, er mwyn cynnal amrywiaeth o gynefinoedd byddai gennym wahanol lefelau o reolaeth pori mewn gwahanol leoliadau. Arferai hyn ddigwydd o ganlyniad i fugeilio da byw ar y mynyddoedd. Mae ymarferion fel hyn mwy neu lai wedi marw o’r tir o ganlyniad i economi newidiol a dulliau o amaethu. Mae’r angen am bori, ac am reolaeth dros y pori hwnnw, yn un rheswm pam y dylem ystyried yr agenda i ‘ail-wylltio’ yn ofalus. Defnyddir y term hwn yn aml i ddisgrifio syniad o adael i ‘fyd natur wneud ei waith’. Byddai gweithredu o’r fath yn golygu colli rhai planhigion ac anifeiliaid prin yn ein mannau gwarchodedig. Mewn sawl ardal o Eryri byddai ystod eang o fywyd gwyllt yn elwa o lefelau is o bori, neu bori gan wahanol fathau o dda byw. Mae hefyd

leiniau lle mae diffyg pori’n broblem. Ond wrth i bobl drafod ail-wylltio, nid ydyn nhw fel arfer yn golygu rheolaeth ofalus o lefelau pori. Whichever way you went up Snowdon, you will have passed some habitats supporting rare species. Often unobtrusive, the survival of these modest plants and the animals which depend on them is often tied to the level of grazing. Without some grazing, they would be swamped by more vigorous plants such as bracken, brambles, scrub and trees. Other species would benefit, there is no doubt, but some of the 'specialities' of Snowdonia could be lost. Ideally, to maintain a diversity of habitats we would have different levels of grazing management in different places. This used to happen as a consequence of the shepherding of livestock on the mountains. Such practices have all but died out due to the changing economics and styles of farming. The need for grazing, and for control over that grazing, is one reason why we should think carefully about the ‘re-wilding’ agenda. This term is often used to describe an idea of walking away to 'let nature do its work'. Such action would lead to the loss of some rare plants and animals in 24

our protected areas. There are many areas of Snowdonia where wildlife across the board would benefit from reduced levels of grazing, or grazing by different livestock. There are also areas where lack of grazing is a problem. But careful management of grazing levels is not what is usually meant when people talk about re-wilding. John Harold, Cyfarwyddwr/Director *** Safbwynt ffarmwr... Mae pobl yn anghofio, gan ein bod wedi byw yma ers miloedd o flynyddoedd mae pobl a’u da byw bellach yn rhan o’r ecosystem; ni fydd cael gwared â nhw’n gwella’r amgylchedd ond yn gosod amgylchedd gwahanol yn ei le na fydd yn cynnwys rhai o’n hoff rywogaethau. Gwynedd Watkin A farmer's perspective... People forget that because we have been here for thousands of years, humans and their farm animals are now a part of the ecosystem; removing them will not enhance the environment but replace it with a different one devoid of many of our most precious species. Gwynedd Watkin

Adferwch amserlenni bws ar bapur Restore printed bus timetable a gwasanaeth Sherpa Bethesda - Capel Curig

& Bethesda - Capel Curig Sherpa service

Gohebiaeth rhwng aelod o Gymdeithas Eryri a Chynghorydd Sir Gwynedd.

Correspondence between a Snowdonia Society member and a Gwynedd Councillor

Dear Councillor Dafydd Meurig,

Dear Mr Jones,

I understand you are responsible for transport matters at Gwynedd Council. Please re-instate the following as a matter of urgency: â&#x20AC;˘ publication of the twice yearly printed Gwynedd public transport timetable â&#x20AC;˘ bus services along the A5 from Bethesda to Capel Curig.

Gwynedd Council have had to re-model the provision of public transport throughout the county following a reduction in public transport funding from the Welsh Government, over and above the current challenging financial climate. The decision not to produce a paper based travel guide was taken because frequent changes by bus operators made it impossible to produce a correct guide in which the travelling public could have full confidence. We have therefore put more effort into ensuring that access to accurate and current information is available via Gwynedd Council's website, bus shelters, Traveline Cymru, smartphone apps, libraries and Tourist Information Centres.

The termination of the printed bus timetable was a great mistake. Many of us have limited access to the internet; old people have been particularly disadvantaged. This was clearly a case of the axe falling in the wrong place. Until the demise of Padarn bus services, there were three daily bus services between Bethesda and Capel Curig. Now there are none. Ogwen Cottage can now only be reached by car. Visitors are extremely important to Gwynedd and to local business, but those without cars are now excluded from this popular area.

The majority of Padarn Bus services were operated on a commercial basis, i.e. without subsidy. As Gwynedd Council had no budget set to maintain these previously commercial services, we had to prioritise school services and routes where villages/ towns would have been left without any service were these to be withdrawn completely. The Sherpa service was tendered 'like for like' as operated by Padarn, but the prices received were much higher than expected and the Council did not have the funds to cover the costs. The Sherpa is based around leisure and tourism whereas we have to consider the needs of people commuting for work and education. After some discussion with local operators, the timetable was broken down to the one bus/one person operation that stands today.

Cuts to the Sherpa service have been excessive. The 10am double decker bus from Llanberis to Pen y Pass on 27 May was packed tight. It is unacceptable that the weekday service from Llanberis to Pen y Pass is now limited to four services. When we get to high season, people will not be able to get onto these buses. I get the impression that Gwynedd Council has completely lost sight that their role is to provide services to residents and local businesses and that local businesses require services to cater to visitors.

Unfortunately, Bethesda does not form part of the requirements set out in the Quality Bus Partnership and therefore was omitted from the timetable. This significantly reduced costs as it was not logistically or financially viable for operators to run it, a decision which was also supported by very low passenger numbers.

I hope you will agree with these sentiments and confirm that you are taking immediate actions to restore the printed timetable and the Bethesda - Capel Curig service. Yours sincerely, Wyn Jones, Y Felinheli

As a resident of Dyffryn Ogwen, I am particularly aware of the importance of the Sherpa service, and I hope to address this in the future in my role as Cabinet Member with responsibility for transportation. Regards, Cyng./Counc. Dafydd Meurig, Aelod Cabinet Cynllunio a Rheoleiddio/Member of the Planning & Regulatory Cabinet

Adolygiad o'r flwyddyn

Gwlad Cymru, yn darparu arweiniad digonol ar gyfer gwarchod buddion tirlun a bioamrywiaeth ein Parciau Cenedlaethol. Rhaid i ni obeithio y bydd argymhellion y panel Adolygu a gwelliannau i’r Mesur Amgylchedd yn mynd i’r afael â hyn.

Beth mae Parc Cenedlaethol yn ei olygu i chi? Ardal heddychlon a llonydd, golygfeydd hardd, anturiaethau awyr agored, bywyd gwyllt, treftadaeth ddiwylliannol? Mae’n debyg y bydd yn gyfuniad o’r holl bethau yma, ynghyd â’r sicrwydd bod y dynodiad yn eu gwarchod nawr ac ar gyfer cenedlaethau’r dyfodol. Wel, ni fydd yn syndod i chi nad yw rhai gwleidyddion yn rhannu eich barn.

Ar y llaw arall, mae twristiaeth antur ac adrenalin yn cael hwb enfawr, yn enwedig ar gyrion y Parc Cenedlaethol. Mae weiren sip, beicio mynydd a digwyddiadau dycnwch, a chanolfan donnau Syrffio Eryri ger Dolgarrog, yn annog mwy i ymweld ag Eryri. Bydd y datblygiadau hyn yn rhoi hwb i’r economi leol ac i gyflogaeth,

Yn hydref 2014, comisiynwyd panel annibynnol gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gynnal Adolygiad o Dirluniau Dynodedig yng Nghymru, i edrych ar Barciau Cenedlaethol ac Ardaloedd o Harddwch Naturiol Eithriadol. Mae’r panel yn adrodd i’r Gweinidog dros Adnoddau Naturiol, Carl Sargeant.

Cwm Glas: Man anaddas ar gyfer cynllun hydro? ● The wrong place for a hydro scheme?

Yn adroddiad cyntaf y panel ym mis Ionawr 2015 trafodwyd dynodiad a phwrpasau tirluniau a ddynodwyd. Roeddem yn falch bod y panel yn argymell na ddylid cyfuno Parciau Cenedlaethol ac AHNE o dan un dynodiad ac y dylid cynnal hunaniaeth ‘Parciau Cenedlaethol’. Cynigiodd panel yr Adolygiad dri phwrpas statudol a ddylai fod yn berthnasol i bob tirlun dynodedig, ynghyd â’i gwneud yn ddyletswydd ar gyrff statudol gyfrannu at wireddu’r tri phwrpas. Croesawodd y Gymdeithas yr argymhellion hyn ond teimlwyd y dylent fod yn gliriach, a bod modd iddyn nhw fod yn gliriach a mwy manwl. Ar ddiwedd Gorffennaf bydd y panel yn adrodd i’r Gweinidog ar gam 2 o’r Adolygiad, sef rheolaeth tirluniau dynodedig. Anfonodd y Gymdeithas eu sylwadau i ddau gam yr Adolygiad ac mae’r rhain i’w gweld ar ein gwefan. Mae’r Gymdeithas hefyd wedi cyfrannu i’r ymateb gan Gynghrair Parciau Cenedlaethol Cymru, cynghrair o gyrff Cymreig sy’n gweithio ar warchod tirlun. Fodd bynnag, tra bod panel Adolygiad Tirluniau Dynodedig yn ystyried dyfodol ein tirluniau, mae Llywodraeth Cymru’n cyflwyno, blith-draphlith, ddeddfwriaeth newydd a fydd yn effeithio ar Barciau Cenedlaethol. Mae’r Ddeddf Gynllunio a Deddf Lles Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol eisoes wedi eu pasio ac mae’r Mesur Amgylchedd yn mynd drwy’r broses. Nid yw’r un o’r prif Hyfforddiant ecoleg rhostiroedd, Pensychnant ● Heathland ecology course, Pensychnant ddarnau yma o ddeddfwriaeth yn cydnabod arwyddocâd ein tirluniau dynodedig sy’n cynrychioli 25% o arwynebedd tir Cymru a’u buddion lluosog i gymdeithas. O bryder neilltuol, mae’r Ddeddf Gynllunio’n cynnwys pwerau, a gynhwyswyd ar y funud olaf ac yn erbyn cyngor arbenigol, a fydd yn galluogi llywodraeth yn y dyfodol i ddiddymu hawl Awdurdodau Parciau Cenedlaethol i benderfynu ar weithrediadau cynllunio. Ymhellach, rydym yn pryderu nad yw Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru (CNC), a grëwyd yn 2013 wrth gyfuno’r Asiantaeth Amgylchedd, Comisiwn Coedwigaeth a Chyngor Cefn 26

ond bydd angen hefyd sicrhau bod rheolaeth addas yn cael ei gweithredu. O’u gweithredu yn dilyn ystyriaeth, mae datblygiadau o’r fath yn gyffredinol yn derbyn cefnogaeth y Gymdeithas. Mae mwy o ymwelwyr yn dod â mwy o bwysau ar y Parc ac, ar adeg pan fo Awdurdod y Parc yn wynebu toriadau pellach yn ei gyllideb, mae’r Gymdeithas, ar y cyd â chyrff sy’n bartneriaid, yn arwain wrth recriwtio gwirfoddolwyr i helpu i gynnal a gwarchod Eryri. Ymysg y gweithgareddau a hyrwyddir drwy gyfrwng ein Project Ecosystem Eryri, yr ydym bellach wedi sicrhau prif nawdd iddo hyd at 2018, mae cynnal llwybrau, rheoli rhywogaethau ymledol, clirio sbwriel, rheoli cynefinoedd a chynnal arolygon bywyd gwyllt. Drwy gydol 2014-2015 trefnodd y Gymdeithas o leiaf un diwrnod gwaith i wirfoddolwyr bob wythnos yn y Parc ac yn Nhŷ Hyll o dan arweiniad medrus Mary-Kate Jones (Rheolwr Project) ac Owain Thomas (Swyddog Project). Diolch i ariannu o’r newydd gan Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru rydym wedi gallu cynyddu hyn i ddau ddiwrnod bob wythnos o fis Ebrill 2015 ymlaen, gan gynyddu’n fawr ein gallu i gyfrannu at gadwraeth ymarferol ledled Eryri. Mae Tŷ Hyll, sydd bellach yn enwog am ei de a sgons, yn ffynnu. Ym mis Mehefin, ar ôl cais llwyddiannus am nawdd o dan Project Ecosystem Eryri, penodwyd Bethan

Wynne Jones i ddatblygu gweithgareddau addysgiadol ac i hyrwyddo ymwybyddiaeth o Eryri a’r Gymdeithas yn Nhŷ Hyll. Yn gynharach yn y flwyddyn roeddem yn falch iawn o gefnogi penderfyniad Awdurdod y Parc Cenedlaethol i wneud cais am statws Gwarchodfa Awyr Dywyll. Bydd hyn o fudd i’r amgylchedd ac yn denu ymwelwyr newydd i’r Parc. Mae ein gwaith gyda phartneriaid yn parhau i dyfu gyda datblygiad Partneriaeth Eryri, cynnig addawol i roi peilot ar waith ar ffurf dull cyfunol o reoli ein mynydd uchaf ei broffil ac a ddefnyddir fwy na’r un arall. Rhoddwyd croeso hefyd i’r newyddion ar droad y flwyddyn bod y gyfres o beilonau Grid Cenedlaethol yn aber Dwyryd wedi ei gosod ar y rhestr fer ar gyfer eu gosod o dan y ddaear. Ar hyn o bryd mae asesiad ar y gweill a dylem wybod erbyn diwedd 2015 a fydd hyn yn digwydd ai peidio. Rhoddwyd croeso mawr i’r newyddion bod datblygwr y fferm wynt Llys Dymper ger Llanrwst, yr oedd y Gymdeithas wedi ei wrthwynebu’n gryf, wedi tynnu ei gais yn ôl. Erbyn hyn mae hi’n ymddangos bod y nifer o gynigion ffermydd gwynt newydd ar raddfa fawr yn agos at y Parc yn lleihau ond mae ceisiadau am gynlluniau hydro yn parhau ar lefel uchel. Mae’r Gymdeithas yn bositif ynglŷn ag ynni adnewyddadwy hydro ar raddfa fach, ond mae achosion lle nad ydy harddwch y tirlun ac ecoleg

sensitif afonydd wedi eu gwarchod yn ddigonol. Rydym wedi rhoi cryn amser ac ymdrech i archwilio ceisiadau ac rydym wedi rhoi pwysau ar Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru ac Awdurdod y Parc i werthuso a monitro cynlluniau’n fwy manwl a, lle bynnag bod hynny’n angenrheidiol, i weithredu gyda gorfodaeth. Mae’r Gymdeithas yn awyddus ein bod yn cyflenwi ein haelodau â gwybodaeth lawn am faterion cyfredol; gwnawn hyn yn bennaf drwy gyfrwng ein cylchgrawn, gwefan, e-fwletinau rheolaidd ac, yn gynyddol, hefyd drwy gyfrwng y cyfryngau cymdeithasol. Mae ein tîm golygyddol yn gweithio i sicrhau bod y cylchgrawn yn amserol ac yn ysgogi barn, ond roedd y wefan yn dechrau dangos arwyddion o henoed. Mae ein gwefan newydd sbon yn darparu gwybodaeth am ein holl waith a’n gweithgareddau ac fe’i diweddarwyd diolch i ymdrech lew Frances Smith, ein Swyddog Aelodaeth. Mae ein tudalen Facebook hefyd wedi ei diweddaru ac mae hi’n fywiog a difyr – felly cofiwch edrych arni a nodwch eich bod yn ein ‘Hoffi’! Gobeithio y byddwch yn cytuno bod y rhain yn welliannau enfawr. Cofiwch anfon eich sylwadau atom ar y cylchgrawn, gwefan, a’r cyfryngau cymdeithasol, neu’n wir ar unrhyw fater; mae eich adborth a’ch cefnogaeth fel aelodau’n hanfodol bwysig i ni. David Archer, Cadeirydd

Teyrnged i Bob Cole Bydd yn ddrwg gan lawer o aelodau Cymdeithas Eryri glywed am farwolaeth Bob Cole (adeiladwr, cogydd, arweinydd mynydd a sosialydd ymrwymedig) yng nghlinig Dignitas yn y Swistir ar ddydd Gwener 14 Awst. Ym mis Mehefin eleni cafodd wybod bod ganddo ganser yr ysgyfaint o ganlyniad i asbestos a dirywiodd ei iechyd yn sydyn ac yn boenus yn yr wythnosau canlynol. Roedd Bob yn aelod ymrwymedig o Gymdeithas Eryri ac yna’n Gadeirydd am sawl blwyddyn yn yr 1990au. Yn dilyn hyn parhaodd i fod yn gefnogwr brwd i’r Gymdeithas, gan arwain teithiau a chynnal tiwtorial bywiog yng nghoedlan Tŷ Hyll ar adeiladu meinciau o ddeunydd gwastraff. Bu’n byw ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog am bron i 40 mlynedd a phrif ffocws ei egni’n ddiweddar oedd ei waith fel cynghorydd tref. Chwaraeodd ran allweddol mewn sicrhau nawdd ar gyfer y cynllun adfer ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog yn ddiweddar, ac ymhyfrydai yn llwyddiant y cynllun. Daeth Bob yn gefnogwr brwd o’r sefydliad Dignity in Dying ar ôl hebrwng ei wraig Ann i Dignitas prin ddeunaw mis yn ôl. Yn wleidydd i’r diwedd, defnyddiodd ei farwolaeth fel cyfle i hyrwyddo’r mesur marw gyda chymorth sydd ar fin cael ei drafod yn y Tŷ Cyffredin ym mis Medi. Clustnodwyd pum tudalen o’r papur newydd y Sun, sy’n cefnogi’r mesur, i’w hanes, yn cynnwys y dudalen flaen, ac, er mawr ddifyrrwch i Bob, tudalen tri. 27 27

Bob Cole ym Mhrotest 'Dignity in Dying' yn 2014 yn cefnogi’r Mesur Hunanladdiad gyda Chymorth. ● Bob Cole at the Dignity in Dying demonstration in 2014 supporting the Assisted Dying Bill (Delwedd/Photo: Lorentz Gullachsen)

Review of the year can remedy this.

What does a National Park mean to you? A place of peace and solitude, beautiful views, outdoor adventures, wildlife, cultural heritage? I suspect it may be all of these things, coupled with the reassurance that the designation protects them now and for future generations. Well, you will not be surprised to hear that your vision may not be shared by some politicians.

Adventure and adrenalin tourism, on the other hand, are certainly being boosted particularly on the fringes of the National Park. Zip wires, mountain biking, endurance events and the newly opened Surf Snowdonia wave centre near Dolgarrog are encouraging more visits to Snowdonia. These developments will boost the

In the autumn of 2014, the Welsh Government commissioned an independent panel to carry out a Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales, looking at both National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The panel reports to the Minister for Natural Resources, Carl Sargeant.

Golwg newydd ar Eryri ● A new perspective on Snowdonia

The panel’s first report in January 2015 addressed the designation and purposes of designated landscapes. We were relieved that the panel recommended that National Parks and AONBs should not be merged into a single designation and that the identity of ‘National Parks’ should be retained. The Review panel proposed three statutory purposes which should apply to all designated landscapes, plus a duty on statutory bodies to contribute to the delivery of the three purposes. The Society welcomed these recommendations but felt they should be and could be clearer and more explicit. At the end of July the panel will report to the Minister on stage two of the Review, the governance and management of designated landscapes. The Society made submissions to both stages of the Review and these are available on our website. The Society has also contributed to the response by the Alliance for National Parks Cymru, a coalition of Welsh organisations which work on landscape protection. However, whilst the Designated Landscapes Review panel considers the future of our landscapes, the Welsh Government is introducing, helter-skelter, new legislation which will impact on National Parks. The Planning Act and the Well-being of Future Generations Act have already been passed and the Environment Bill is Arolwg o lygod pengrwn y dŵr ● Watervole survey well on its way. Not one of these major new pieces of legislation recognises the significance and the multiple benefits to society of our designated landscapes which represent 25% of the land area of Wales. Of particular concern, the Planning Act includes powers, included at the last minute and against expert advice, which will enable a future government to strip the National Park Authorities of their planning functions. Further, we fear that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) created in 2013 by the amalgamation of the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Countryside Council for Wales is not providing sufficient leadership for safeguarding the landscape and biodiversity interests of our National Parks. We must hope that the recommendations of the Review panel and amendments to the Environment Bill 28

local economy and employment, but they will also require proper controls to be exercised. When implemented with consideration, such developments are generally supported by the Society.

funding bid under the Snowdonia Ecosystem Project, Bethan Wynne Jones was appointed to develop educational activities and to promote awareness of Snowdonia and the Society at Tŷ Hyll.

More visitors bring further pressure on the Park and, at a time when the Park Authority is facing further cuts in its budget, the Society is taking the lead with partner organisations in recruiting volunteers to help conserve and protect Snowdonia. Maintaining footpaths, controlling invasive species, clearing litter, managing habitats and conducting wildlife surveys are some of the activities promoted through our Snowdonia Ecosystem Project for which we have now secured major funding through to 2018. Over 2014-2015, the Project arranged on average more than one volunteer workday per week in the Park and at Tŷ Hyll under the able direction of Mary-Kate Jones (Project Manager) and Owain Thomas (Project Officer). Thanks to new funding from Natural Resources Wales we have been able to increase this to two days per week from April 2015 onwards, greatly increasing our capacity to contribute to practical conservation across Snowdonia.

Earlier in the year we were delighted to back the National Park Authority’s decision to bid for International Dark Sky Reserve status. This will both benefit the environment and draw in new visitors to the Park. Our work with partners continues to grow with the development of the Snowdon Partnership, a promising attempt to pilot a more inclusive approach to managing our most high profile and most heavily used mountain.

Tŷ Hyll, now famous for its teas and scones, is flourishing. In June, after a successful

The news at the turn of the year that the section of National Grid pylons in the Dwyryd estuary had been shortlisted for undergrounding was also welcomed. An assessment is currently being undertaken and we should know by the end of 2015 whether this will go ahead. The developer’s withdrawal of the Llys Dymper windfarm proposal near Llanrwst, to which the Society was strongly opposed, was greeted with relief. The number of new large scale windfarm proposals close to the Park now appears to be decreasing but applications for hydro schemes remain at a high level. The Society is positive about

small-scale hydro renewable energy, but there are instances where scenic beauty and sensitive riparian ecology have not been adequately protected. We have put considerable time and effort into scrutiny of applications and have pressed Natural Resources Wales and the Park Authority to evaluate and monitor schemes more closely and, where necessary, take enforcement action. The Society is anxious to keep our members fully informed of current issues; we do this largely through our magazine, website, regular e-bulletins and increasingly also through social media. Our editorial team works hard to make the magazine both topical and thoughtprovoking, but the website was beginning to creak with old age. Our brand new website neatly provides information on all our work and activities and is the result of a herculean effort by Frances Smith, our Membership Officer. Our Facebook page has had a facelift and is also lively and interesting - so please do have a look and ‘Like’ us! We hope you agree that these are big improvements. Please let us have your comments on the magazine, website and social media, and indeed on any matter; your feedback and support as members are vital to us. David Archer, Chair

A tribute to Bob Cole Many Snowdonia Society members will be sorry to hear that Bob Cole (builder, chef, mountain leader and committed socialist) died at Dignitas in Switzerland on Friday 14th August. In June this year he was diagnosed with a form of lung cancer caused by asbestos and his health deteriorated quickly and painfully in the following weeks. Bob was a committee member and then chair of Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society for several years in the 1990s. Subsequently he remained a staunch supporter of the Society, leading walks and holding an entertaining tutorial in the Tŷ Hyll woodlands on making benches out of waste material. He was a resident of Blaenau Ffestiniog for nearly forty years and the main focus for his energy latterly was his work as a town councillor. He played a leading role in obtaining funding for, and seeing to a successful conclusion, the recent town regeneration scheme in Blaenau. Bob became a keen supporter of the Dignity in Dying organization after escorting his wife Ann to Dignitas only eighteen months ago. A politician to the end, he used his death as an opportunity to promote the Assisted Dying Bill due to be debated in the House of Commons in September. The Sun newspaper, which supports the bill, devoted five full pages to Bob, including the front page and, to his glee, page three.

Bob (tu blaen, ail o’r chwith), yn arwain gwirfoddolwyr wrth iddyn nhw adeiladu pum mainc o goed a gwympwyd, Tŷ Hyll, 2013. ● Bob (front, second from left), guiding volunteers in the construction of five benches from felled trees, Tŷ Hyll, 2013. 29 29

Adroddiad ariannol • Financial report

The Society has unrestricted funds derived primarily from members’ subscriptions, donations, legacies and dividends from the Society’s investments. Restricted funds have been generated through activities at Tŷ Hyll. The charity’s charitable activities, primarily projects carried out with the help of volunteers, have been funded through grants and income given for specific purposes. There have been no significant legacies. Income appears less than the previous year because of the timing of grant receipts. Core income from donations, subscriptions and investments has increased slightly. Once again overheads have been well controlled so that there is a small operating surplus. The value of investments has increased slightly.

Mae gan y Gymdeithas gronfeydd digyfyngiad a ddaw’n bennaf o danysgrifiadau aelodau, rhoddion, cymynroddion a buddrannau o fuddsoddiadau’r Gymdeithas. Cynhyrchwyd cronfeydd cyfyngedig drwy gyfrwng gweithgareddau Tŷ Hyll. Ariennir gweithgareddau elusennol yr elusen, projectau a gwblhawyd gyda chymorth gwirfoddolwyr yn bennaf, gan grantiau ac incwm a roddwyd at bwrpas penodol. Ni dderbyniwyd cymynroddion sylweddol. Mae’r incwm yn ymddangos yn llai na’r flwyddyn flaenorol o ganlyniad i amseriad derbyn y grantiau. Mae incwm craidd o roddion, tanysgrifiadau a buddsoddiadau wedi cynyddu fymryn. Unwaith eto mae costau wedi eu rheoli’n dda fel bod swm bach o arian gweithredu wrth gefn. Mae gwerth y buddsoddiadau wedi cynyddu fymryn.

Reserves policy

Polisi arian wrth gefn

The reserves established in earlier years continue to provide financial stability and flexibility, and generate a significant proportion of the income required to support the Society’s current operations. There has been no need to use capital to fund expenditure for several years. Very modest operating surpluses mean that reserves have increased slightly but are vulnerable to fluctuations in the stock market. However, the Trustees consider the current level of reserves is adequate in relation to the Society’s current level of activity.

Mae’r arian wrth gefn a sefydlwyd yn y blynyddoedd cynharaf yn parhau i ddarparu sefydlogrwydd a hyblygrwydd ariannol, ac yn cynhyrchu cyfran sylweddol o’r incwm angenrheidiol i gefnogi gweithrediadau presennol y Gymdeithas. Ni fu angen defnyddio cyfalaf i dalu am wariant ers sawl blwyddyn. Mae ychydig bach o arian gweithredu dros ben yn golygu bod cynnydd bach yn yr arian wrth gefn ond maen nhw’n gallu cynyddu a gostwng yn y farchnad stoc. Fodd bynnag, mae’r Ymddiriedolwyr yn ystyried bod y lefel bresennol o arian wrth gefn yn ddigonol o safbwynt lefel gweithgaredd presennol y Gymdeithas.

Investment policy

Polisi buddsoddi

The Society’s investments are managed by Barclays Wealth and comprise equities and bonds. Barclays Wealth is instructed to place emphasis on generating income in the form of dividends, rather than on capital growth. The Trustees continue to consider other options for satisfying the need for income while adopting a stronger ethical stance.

Rheolir buddsoddiadau’r Gymdeithas gan Barclays Wealth ac maen nhw’n cynnwys ecwiti a bondiau. Cyfarwyddir Barclays Wealth i osod pwyslais ar gynhyrchu incwm ar ffurf difidendau, yn hytrach nag ar dwf cyfalaf. Mae’r Ymddiriedolwyr yn parhau i ystyried opsiynau eraill ar gyfer diwallu’r angen am incwm wrth fabwysiadu safiad ethegol gryfach.

Risk management policy

Polisi rheoli risg

Trustees are not in a position to protect the Society and its assets from global economic trends. They have introduced and regularly review procedures to control all other forms of risk to Society staff, property, members, volunteer workers and the general public.

Nid yw Ymddiriedolwyr mewn sefyllfa i warchod y Gymdeithas a’i hasedau rhag tueddiadau economaidd byd-eang. Maen nhw wedi cyflwyno trefnweithiau i reoli pob ffurf arall o risg i staff, eiddo, aelodau, a gweithwyr gwirfoddol y Gymdeithas a’r cyhoedd yn gyffredinol, ac yn eu hadolygu’n rheolaidd.

Responsibilities of Trustees

Cyfrifoldebau Ymddiriedolwyr Yn ôl y gyfraith, mae’n ofynnol i Ymddiriedolwyr baratoi datganiadau ariannol pob blwyddyn sy’n rhoi hanes cywir a theg o weithgareddau’r Gymdeithas yn ystod y flwyddyn a’i sefyllfa ariannol ar ei ddiwedd. Wrth baratoi’r cyfrifon hyn, mae’n ofynnol i Ymddiriedolwyr ddewis polisïau cyfrifo priodol a’u defnyddio’n gyson, a dilyn safonau cyfrifo perthnasol, gan egluro unrhyw drefn wahanol. Mae’n ofynnol iddyn nhw wneud dyfarniadau rhesymol a gofalus yn y materion hyn, i gadw cofnodion cyfrifo sy’n datgelu sefyllfa ariannol y Gymdeithas gyda chywirdeb ar unrhyw bryd, ac i gydymffurfio gyda chyfraith elusennol a gofynion cyfreithiol eraill. Maen nhw’n gyfrifol am warchod asedau’r Gymdeithas ac am gymryd camau rhesymol i rwystro a chanfod twyll.

The Trustees are required by law to prepare financial statements each year which give a true and fair account of the Society’s activities during the year and its financial position at the end of it. In preparing these accounts, Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently, and to follow applicable accounting standards, explaining any departures. They are required to make reasonable and prudent judgements in these matters, to keep accounting records which disclose with some accuracy at any time the financial position of the Society, and to comply with charity law and other legal requirements. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Society and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud.

Paratowyd yr adroddiad hwn yn unol â gofynion SORPs (y datganiadau o’r arfer a argymhellir ar gyfer cyfrifon ac adroddiadau ariannol elusennau), cyfansoddiad y Gymdeithas a chyfraith elusennol. Cymeradwywyd y datganiadau ariannol gan y Pwyllgor Gwaith ar 3 Awst 2015.

This report has been prepared in accordance with SORP (the statement of recommended practice for accounting and reporting by charities), the Society’s constitution and charity law. The financial statements were approved by the Executive Committee on 3rd August 2015.

David Archer (Cadeirydd) Judith Bellis (Cyfrifydd)

David Archer (Chair) Judith Bellis (Accountant) 30

CYMDEITHAS ERYRI - SNOWDONIA SOCIETY

Crynodeb ariannol • Financial summary STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 SUMMARISED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Mae’r datganiad hwn o weithgareddau ariannol yn cynnwys enillion a cholledion y flwyddyn i gyd. Daw'r adnoddau a dderbyniwyd ac a wariwyd o'n gweithgareddau parhaol. Dyma gyfrifon cryno’r Gymdeithas, wedi’u cymeradwyo gan yr Ymddiriedolwyr ar 3 Awst 2015. Am ragor o wybodaeth am sefyllfa ariannol Cymdeithas Eryri, dylid edrych ar y datganiad ariannol llawn ynghyd ag adroddiad yr Archwilydd Annibynnol ac Adroddiad Blynyddol yr Ymddiriedolwyr. Cedwir y datganiad ariannol llawn gan y Comisiwn Elusennau. Fe gewch gopïau gan y Gymdeithas. Datganiad gan yr Archwilydd Annibynnol Yn fy marn i, mae’r datganiad ariannol cryno uchod yn cydymffurfio a’r datganiad ariannol llawn. P J B Tiernay FCA

Unrestricted funds £

These are the summarised accounts approved by the Trustees on 3rd August 2015. For a more detailed understanding of the financial affairs of the Snowdonia Society, the full financial statements together with the Independent Examiner's report on these accounts and the Trustees' Annual Report should be consulted. The full accounts are filed with the Charity Commission. Copies can be obtained from the Society. Statement of the Independent Examiner In my opinion the summary financial information above is consistent with the full financial statements. P J B Tiernay FCA

Total funds 2015 £

Total funds 2014 £

52,030 11,189 7,057 34,586

54,804 6,758 7,953 53,667

104,862

123,182

Incoming resources from generated funds: Voluntary Income Activities for generating funds Investment income Charitable Activities

52,030 5,461 7,057 34,586

Total incoming resources

99,134

Resources expended Generating voluntary income Fundraising trading Charitable activities Governance

8,017 6,942 42,902 32,559

6,953 5,218 -

8,017 13,895 48,120 32,559

9,350 9,583 48,890 34,045

Total resources expended

90,420

12,171

102,591

101,868

8,714

(6,443)

2,271

21,314

Net (outgoing)/incoming resources Transfer between funds

5,728

174

1,726

10,266

(6,269)

3,997

20,783

2,909

6,506

6,906

27,289

307,244 BALANCE SHEET271,171 AS AT 30 JUNE 2015

578,415

551,126

284,346

585,321

578,415

Net movement in funds after realised (losses)/gains Unrealised gain/(losses) Investments Net movement in funds

5,728 -

(174)

Realised (losses)/gains Investments

Total funds at 1 July 2014

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

Restricted funds £

CYMDEITHAS ERYRI -13,175 SNOWDONIA SOCIETY (6,269)

Total funds at 30 June 2015

300,975

(531)

SUMMARISED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Represented by:financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive The statement of from continuing activities. Tangible fixed assets Equipment Heritage Asset Investments

1,181 228,758

285,000 -

1,181 285,000 228,758

1,273 285,000 227,076

229,939

285,000

514,939

513,349

910 24,682 33,089

15,975

910 24,682 49,064

974 13,139 53,315

58,681

15,975

74,656

67,428

Creditors and accruals

(4,274)

(2,362)

Net current assets/liabilities

54,407

15,975

70,382

65,066

284,346

300,975

585,321

578,415

Unrestricted funds

284,346

271,171

Restricted funds

300,975

307,244

Total funds

585,321

578,415

Current assets Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Net assets Funds

Dewch am dro i weld..... Come for a walk and see..... Plasdy o’r G18 C18 Mansion 13 erw o erddi Fictoraidd 13 acres of Victorian gardens

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www.eryri-npa.gov.uk plas@eryri-npa.gov.uk

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01286 685498

A55

A47 0

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In 2014 parts of Plas Tan y Bwlch’s spectacular gardens were destroyed by storms and strong winds. A restoration programme is now in place and visitors are able to see how the work is progressing.

One of Snowdonia’s most spectacular views from the Tea Room

Yn 2014 dinistriwyd rhannau o erddi ysblennydd Plas Tan y Bwlch gan stormydd a gwyntoedd cryf. Mae cynllun i adfer y gerddi bellach ar y gweill a chyfle i ymwelwyr weld sut mae’r gwaith yn mynd rhagddo.

A487

Un o olygfeydd godidocaf Eryri o’r Ystafell De

info@snowdonia-society.org.uk